(More fully "main-sequence turn-off point") the point on a Hertzsprung–Russell diagram beyond which all brighter stars have left the main sequence and have started to evolve into giants.
Origin
1960s.
Definition of main-sequence turn-off in US English:
main-sequence turn-off
noun
Astronomy
(More fully "main-sequence turn-off point") the point on a Hertzsprung–Russell diagram beyond which all brighter stars have left the main sequence and have started to evolve into giants.