Entry Word: point

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a particular and often important moment in time <it was at that point that I had to stop and check on the experiment>

Synonyms juncture

Related Words flash, instant, jiffy, minute, moment, second, shake, split second, trice, twinkle, wink; bit, spell, stretch, while; brink, threshold, verge

2 the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow <be careful with the point on that umbrella, or you could hurt someone>

Synonyms apex, cusp, end, pike, tip

Related Words prong, tine; barb, jag, prickle, snag, spike, sticker

3 a separate part in a list, account, or series <went down the list point by point> — see item 1
4 a single piece of information <two points that are important to remember> — see fact 3
5 a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part <the little points of gold in the blue ceiling are supposed to represent stars> — see spot 1
6 an area of high ground jutting out into a body of water beyond the line of the coast <the racing yacht rounded the point far ahead of its closest rival> — see headland 1
7 an area of land that juts out into a body of water <Point Reyes, California> — see ²cape
8 an individual part of a process, series, or ranking <the melting point of ice> — see degree 1
9 something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind <impeccable politeness has always been her strong point> — see characteristic
10 the area or space occupied by or intended for something <runners began lining up by the starting point> — see place 1
11 the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect <her jokes are often long, rambling stories that have no point whatsoever> — see ¹punch 1