point

¹point

noun \ˈpȯint\

Definition of POINT

1

a (1) : an individual detail : item (2) : a distinguishing detail <tact is one of her strong points> b : the most important essential in a discussion or matter <missed the whole point of the joke> c : cogency

2

obsolete : physical condition

3

: an end or object to be achieved : purpose <did not see what point there was in continuing the discussion>

4

a : a geometric element that has zero dimensions and a location determinable by an ordered set of coordinates b (1) : a narrowly localized place having a precisely indicated position <walked to a point 50 yards north of the building> (2) : a particular place : locality <have come from distant points> c (1) : an exact moment <at this point I was interrupted> (2) : a time interval immediately before something indicated : verge <at the point of death> d (1) : a particular step, stage, or degree in development <had reached the point where nothing seemed to matter anymore> (2) : a definite position in a scale

5

a : the terminal usually sharp or narrowly rounded part of something : tip b : a weapon or tool having such a part and used for stabbing or piercing: as (1) : arrowhead (2) : spearhead c (1) : the contact or discharge extremity of an electric device (as a spark plug or distributor) (2) chiefly British : an electric outlet

6

a : a projecting usually tapering piece of land or a sharp prominence b (1) : the tip of a projecting body part (2) : tine 2 (3) plural : the extremities or markings of the extremities of an animal especially when of a color differing from the rest of the body c : a railroad switch d : the head of the bow of a stringed instrument

7

: a short musical phrase; especially : a phrase in contrapuntal music

8

a : a very small mark b (1) : punctuation mark; especially : period 5a (1) (2) : decimal point

9

: a lace for tying parts of a garment together used especially in the 16th and 17th centuries

10

: one of usually 11 divisions of a heraldic shield that determines the position of a charge

11

a : one of the 32 equidistant spots of a compass card for indicating direction b : the difference of 11¹⁄₄ degrees between two such successive points c : a direction indicated by a compass point <from all points of the compass>

12

: a small detachment ahead of an advance guard or behind a rear guard

13

a : needlepoint 1 b : lace made with a bobbin

14

: one of 12 spaces marked off on each side of a backgammon board

15

: a unit of measurement: as a (1) : a unit of counting in the scoring of a game or contest (2) : a unit used in evaluating the strength of a bridge hand b : a unit of academic credit c (1) : a unit used in quoting prices (as of stocks, bonds, and commodities) (2) plural : a percentage of the face value of a loan often added as a placement fee or service charge (3) : a percentage of the profits of a business venture (as a motion-picture production) d : a unit of about ¹⁄₇₂ inch used especially to measure the size of type

16

: the action of pointing: as a : the rigidly intent attitude of a hunting dog marking game for a gunner b : the action in dancing of extending one leg and arching the foot so that only the tips of the toes touch the floor

17

: a position of a player in various games (as lacrosse); also : the player of such a position

18

: a number thrown on the first roll of the dice in craps which the player attempts to repeat before throwing a seven — compare missout, pass 13

19

: credit accruing from creating a good impression <scored points for hard work>

— beside the point

: irrelevant

— in point of

: with regard to : in the matter of <in point of law> <in point of fact>

— to the point

: relevant, pertinent <a suggestion that was to the point>

Examples of POINT

1. She showed us several graphs to illustrate the point she was making.
2. I see your point, but I don't think everyone will agree.
3. There's no use in arguing the point.
4. He made a very good point about the need for change.
5. Let me make one final point.
6. That's the point I've been trying to make.
7. “What's your point?” “Actually, I have two points.”
8. My point is simply that we must do something to help the homeless.
9. “If we leave now, we won't make it back in time.” “That's a good point.”
10. There are two critical points that I would like to discuss.

Origin of POINT

Middle English, partly from Anglo-French, prick, dot, moment, from Latin punctum, from neuter of punctus, past participle of pungere to prick; partly from Anglo-French pointe sharp end, from Vulgar Latin *puncta, from Latin, feminine of punctus, past participle — more at pungent

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to POINT

Synonyms: juncture, moment of truth

Related Words: beat, crack, flash, heartbeat, instant, jiffy, minute, moment, nanosecond, second, shake, split second, tick, trice, twinkle, wink; bit, spell, stretch, while; brink, cusp, nick, threshold, verge; crisis, crunch time, wire

Near Antonyms: aggregate, composite, compound, conglomerate; entirety, sum, summation, total, totality, whole

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with POINT

joint