Definition of starting point

The phrase "starting point" derives from the concept of setting a place or moment from which to begin an action, project, or process. The term was first used in the seventeenth century in the context of mathematics, where it referred to the initial position or value from which calculations and measurements would be made. From there, the phrase gained broader use in various fields, including economics, finance, and business, where it became a common term for describing the point at which a plan or strategy would be implemented. Today, "starting point" is a widely recognized term that is used across many areas of human endeavor to describe the point at which an effort or initiative begins.