pin·point
ˈpin-ˌpȯint 
1
: something that is extremely small or insignificant
2
: the point of a pin
3
: an extremely small or sharp point
1
: extremely fine or precise
2
: located, fixed, or directed with extreme precision
pinpoint targets
3
: small as a pinpoint
pinpointed; pinpointing; pinpoints
1
: to locate or aim with great precision or accuracy
pinpoint a source
2
a
: to fix, determine, or identify with precision
pinpoint the cause
b
: to cause to stand out conspicuously : highlight
Examples of pinpoint in a Sentence
Adjective
The pitcher showed pinpoint control of his fastball.
the pinpoint measurement of brain tumors is critically important
Verb
They were finally able to pinpoint the cause of the fire.
He pinpointed the city on the map.
Rescuers were able to pinpoint where the lost girl was.
The military uses computer imaging to pinpoint targets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
The iconic circuit is narrow, requiring pinpoint accuracy because even being a millimeter off can be a costly error as the drivers navigate around famous buildings, a tight hairpin, and past a slew of yachts.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Saturday’s maneuver required pinpoint hand-eye coordination, body control and a flourish of power.
—Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 5 June 2025
Trying to assign a deterministic ROI to a single tactic is like trying to pinpoint the gust of wind responsible for a wildfire.
—Gully Flowers, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinpoint
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Noun
The report, published May 20, pinpoints 10 beaches across the United States and Puerto Rico where high bacteria levels consistently exceed state health standards and could put public health at risk.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
The iconic circuit is narrow, requiring pinpoint accuracy because even being a millimeter off can be a costly error as the drivers navigate around famous buildings, a tight hairpin, and past a slew of yachts.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
Second, the singular nature of Eve is not a quasi-creationist argument for a pinpoint origin of humanity in a unique woman.
—Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Saturday’s maneuver required pinpoint hand-eye coordination, body control and a flourish of power.
—Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Verb
Food stations and cameras were set up in the park to pinpoint her location.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 5 June 2025
Trying to assign a deterministic ROI to a single tactic is like trying to pinpoint the gust of wind responsible for a wildfire.
—Gully Flowers, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinpoint
Cite this Entry
“Pinpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinpoint. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pinpoint
1 of 3 noun
pin·point
ˈpin-ˌpȯint
1
: the point of a pin
2
: an extremely small or sharp point
a pinpoint of light in the darkness
pinpoint
2 of 3 verb
: to locate or identify exactly
pinpoint your career interests
pinpoint
3 of 3 adjective1
: extremely fine or exact
pinpoint accuracy
2
: located, fixed, or directed with great exactness
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