Phrase guide

single point of failure

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A component in a device, or a point in a network, that, if it were to fail, would cause the entire device or network to fail (normally eliminated by adding redundancy).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The Jesus nut got its name because it is a single point of failure — if it goes, there's nothing you can do but pray.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A minor mistake that creates a chain reaction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

Examples

  • The intact twine in Dylan's beef Wellington was a single point of failure.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 單點故障 /单点故障 — a component in a device, or a point in a network, that, if it were to fail would cause the entire device or network to fail; normally eliminated by adding redundancy
  • Finnish: yksittäinen vikaantumispiste — a component in a device, or a point in a network, that, if it were to fail would cause the entire device or network to fail; normally eliminated by adding redundancy
  • Polish: pojedynczy punkt awarii — a component in a device, or a point in a network, that, if it were to fail would cause the entire device or network to fail; normally eliminated by adding redundancy
  • Swedish: felkritisk systemdel — a component in a device, or a point in a network, that, if it were to fail would cause the entire device or network to fail; normally eliminated by adding redundancy