touchpoint
noun
touch·point
ˈtəch-ˌpȯint 
variants
or touch point
or less commonly touch-point
plural touchpoints or touch points also touch-points
1
: an interaction for the purpose of building or maintaining a relationship
It's people saying 'how was your weekend?' or 'how are the kids?' It's those informal touchpoints that we were missing.—
Ellen Mann
Ellen MannCreating a cohort with other new hires … and then setting up touch points with other employees in the organization through informal mentorships really makes all the difference …—Rohshann Pilla
Rohshann Pilla
especially
: an interaction between an existing or potential customer and a business
A common marketing principle is that it takes seven to nine meaningful touchpoints with a prospect or client before they decide to give you work. —Linda T. Sanders
Linda T. Sanders … should take it as a chance to generate an additional positive touchpoint with their customers, for example by being friendly and providing a smooth and timely repair service. —Katja Gelbrich
Katja Gelbrich … the need for genuine human touch-points is rising, and those businesses that use them to stand out will be poised to elevate their efforts … —Lane Ellis
Lane Ellis 2
: a place where two objects are in or come into contact
Silver plate with a larger percent of overlay on the back may wear longer because "touch points" (areas that come in contact with the table or dishware) are more protected.—Maurice Minno and Norma Gray
Maurice Minno and Norma Gray
especially
: a place on the screen of an electronic device that is designed to be touched (as with a finger or stylus) in order to perform a task (such as opening an app)
It features a central … touch point to bring the screen back to the main menu … —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull Basically, resolution is defined by the number of distinct areas on the screen that can be recognized by the monitor as unique touch points. Higher resolutions are permitting touch screens to compete for the first time with the mouse and other pointing devices … —Computerworld
Computerworld 3
: an instance of physical contact between a person and an object
We're trying to streamline our process and reduce the number of touchpoints. The less time you touch a product, the fewer people you need to touch it.—Edward Massood, quoted at furnituretoday.com
Edward Massood, quoted at furnituretoday.com
also
: a place where such contact occurs
… including cleaning and disinfecting vehicles on a "nightly" basis and wiping down "touch points" at major stations every four hours. —Andrew Martinez
Andrew Martinez 4
: something (such as a place or event) that is of special significance to a person or group
Plenty of early-stage romantic banter is all about learning each other's cultural touchpoints.—Eliza Dumais
Eliza DumaisThe current touchpoint for the anti-nuclear movement is a French nuclear plant at Cattenom …—The Economist
The EconomistOver the years, the house served as a family touchpoint for countless birthdays and other milestones.—Phil Luciano
Phil Luciano5
: a significant transition during a child's development
As described by T. Berry Brazelton, one of this nation's favorite pediatricians, a touchpoint is any one of the giant steps children take in the course of normal development. … They come in fairly predictable order and at a fairly predictable pace.—H. J. Cummins
H. J. CumminsExamples of touchpoint in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This system will allow real-time insights from every touchpoint to work together—like organs in a body powering the whole organism.
—Yevgeni Tsirulnik, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Real-time personalization across all touchpoints will become the norm, requiring marketers to increase their data collection and activation capabilities.
—Amy Packard Berry, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The Ainu cultural touchpoint for many Japanese people is the popular manga and anime Golden Kamuy (a kamuy is an Ainu spirit, similar to a Japanese kami).
—Gavin J Blair, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2024
The program consists of seven touchpoints, or key factors.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024
Leadership teams must prioritize long-term development strategies that emphasize collaboration, on-the-job learning, and regular touchpoints rather than isolated events.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Cyber training shouldn’t be a once-a-year event but a series of thoughtful, measurable touchpoints that continuously improve skills.
—James Hadley, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Exploring the American Ultra II Series Telecaster | Ultra II | Fender
For starters, belly and arm carves on the front and back of this alder body nudge the main ergonomic touchpoints toward Stratocaster territory.
—New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2024
These cars and the watches being produced by A. Lange & Söhne share a deep emotional touchpoint in their attention to detail and commitment to their craft.
—Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2024
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Yevgeni Tsirulnik, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Real-time personalization across all touchpoints will become the norm, requiring marketers to increase their data collection and activation capabilities.
—Amy Packard Berry, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The Ainu cultural touchpoint for many Japanese people is the popular manga and anime Golden Kamuy (a kamuy is an Ainu spirit, similar to a Japanese kami).
—Gavin J Blair, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2024
The program consists of seven touchpoints, or key factors.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024
Leadership teams must prioritize long-term development strategies that emphasize collaboration, on-the-job learning, and regular touchpoints rather than isolated events.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Cyber training shouldn’t be a once-a-year event but a series of thoughtful, measurable touchpoints that continuously improve skills.
—James Hadley, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Exploring the American Ultra II Series Telecaster | Ultra II | Fender
For starters, belly and arm carves on the front and back of this alder body nudge the main ergonomic touchpoints toward Stratocaster territory.
—New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2024
These cars and the watches being produced by A. Lange & Söhne share a deep emotional touchpoint in their attention to detail and commitment to their craft.
—Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near touchpoint
Cite this Entry
“Touchpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchpoint. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
touchpoint
noun
touch·point
ˈtəch-ˌpȯint
variants
or touch point
also touch-point
: a significant transition during a child's development
Touchpoints are periods during the first years of life during which children's spurts in development result in disruption in the family system. … They are centered on caregiving themes that matter to parents (e.g. feeding, discipline), rather than traditional milestones. The child's negotiation of these touchpoints can be seen as a source of satisfaction and encouragement for the family system.—T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua Sparrow, Brazelton Touchpoints Center
T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua Sparrow, Brazelton Touchpoints CenterLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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