pinnacle

noun

pin·na·cle | \ ˈpi-ni-kəl

Definition of pinnacle

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an upright architectural member generally ending in a small spire and used especially in Gothic construction to give weight especially to a buttress

2 : a structure or formation suggesting a pinnacle specifically : a lofty peak

3 : the highest point of development or achievement : acme

pinnacle

verb

pinnacled; pinnacling\ ˈpi-ni-k(ə-)liŋ

Definition of pinnacle (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to surmount with a pinnacle

2 : to raise or rear on a pinnacle

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about pinnacle

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Choose the Right Synonym for pinnacle

Noun

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable. at the summit of the Victorian social scene peak suggests the highest among other high points. an artist working at the peak of her powers pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height. the pinnacle of worldly success climax implies the highest point in an ascending series. the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge. the apex of Dutch culture acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing. a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective. the culmination of years of effort

Did You Know?

Noun

Pinnacle is one of several words that aspire to both literal and figurative heights. Others include summit, peak, climax, apex, acme, and culmination. All of these can refer to the highest point of a mountain or structure, or the highest point attained or attainable over a person's lifetime, career, etc. When referring to part of a building, pinnacle describes a projection on top of a tower (as on a Gothic cathedral). The word derives via Anglo-French from Late Latin pinnaculum, meaning "small wing," a diminutive of pinna, meaning "wing or battlement." When used figuratively, pinnacle sometimes implies a dizzying and insecure height, such as that brought on by unexpected fame.

Examples of pinnacle in a Sentence

Noun

a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Darroch is Sir Kim, having been knighted in 2008 for his service to country, and is admired by many for his rise from a humble upbringing in housing projects to the pinnacle of his profession. — Laura King, latimes.com, "Britain’s contest for prime minister roiled by Trump’s bare-knuckled attack on envoy to Washington," 9 July 2019 Mount Marathon was the pinnacle, so far, of his recovery. — Beth Bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "Oregon runner Max King gains royalty status with Mount Marathon men’s victory," 5 July 2019 In their bid to return to the pinnacle of Spanish and European football, Real have already concluded deals for Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao, Luka Jovic, Eden Hazard and Ferland Mendy for a shade over €300m. — SI.com, "How Real Madrid Plan to Raise at Least €300m Through Player Sales This Summer," 26 June 2019 In the first postseason since the death of his father, David Thompson, Butch Thompson has lead his team to the pinnacle of his profession. — Sam Blum | Sblum@al.com, al.com, "For Butch Thompson, Auburn’s Father’s Day game is a tribute to late dad," 15 June 2019 But all the while, the excitement was building up to the pinnacle of his day: The Spider-Man ride. — Allison Klein, Washington Post, "An autistic boy had a meltdown at a theme park, and an employee’s simple, soothing act of solidarity went viral," 8 June 2019 And last weekend would have been the pinnacle of the season, the annual meeting of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club and its chapters across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine in the White Mountains of Gorham, N.H. — Deanna Pan, BostonGlobe.com, "After a deadly crash, Jarheads rely on their brotherhood to confront tragedy," 26 June 2019 With its copper dome, pinnacles, modern statues, murals, and colorful interior, the cathedral serves not just as a tourist attraction but one of the most important places of worship in the entire Horn of Africa nation. — Abdi Latif Dahir, Quartz Africa, "The British suffragette who was crowned an “honorary” Ethiopian," 25 June 2019 The first scenes start just as his life did, born on a train in rural Russia and then catapulted to the pinnacle of the ballet world, dancing for the world famous Kirov (now Mariinsky) and the Bolshoi ballets during the 1950s. — Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, "Anna Wintour, Patti Smith, and Sarah Jessica Parker Attend a Screening for Ralph Fiennes’s White Crow," 24 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

At the start of 2015, Hollar's weight pinnacled at 678. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Surgery helped him lose almost 500 pounds. Now insurance won't help remove excess skin.," 4 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pinnacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.