starting point; point of departure; initial point
Refers to the beginning of a journey, process, line, or argument. Often used in technical or abstract contexts.
議論の始点を明確にしましょう。
Let's clarify the starting point of the discussion.
この線の始点から終点までの距離を測ってください。
Please measure the distance from the starting point to the end point of this line.
始点 means the starting point of a route or process, the direct opposite of 終点.
Compound of 始 (beginning) and 点 (point). The reading してん is the standard on'yomi combination.