When we apply force continuously on a body, its stress increases. Hence, the corresponding strain also increases. This way the increase in stress causes increase in strain upto a particular point called the elastic limit. The elastic nature is maintained upto this point. Hence, when the stress is removed, the body retraces to its original position.

But above the elastic limit, when you decrease the stress, the object does not retrace the original position. There will be a small strain even though the corresponding stress is removed. This point is called as the yielding point.

 Beyond the yielding point, if force is applied in the form of stress, then there is no increase in strain. However, the wire becomes thin and breaks which is called as the breaking point.