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

So many hugs, so much acknowledgment of the long climb from the Bronx to the pinnacle of American fashion. — Christina Binkley, WSJ, "Ralph Lauren Wants People to Feel Good About Their Country," 7 Nov. 2018 Only France did, reasserting the World Cup's status at the pinnacle of soccer over the increasingly-predictable club competitions across Europe. — Rob Harris, Fox News, "No refuge from politics but France victory a fitting climax," 15 July 2018 If every woman could equal the career pinnacle achieved by America’s first female secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, then the dream of two British entrepreneurs will be delivered. — Prue Lewington, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Career Club Is the Global Sisterhood You've Always Wanted," 11 Feb. 2019 One such spectator who would have wanted Madrid to win more than many was United and former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who travelled to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev to watch the pinnacle of European club football. — SI.com, "VIDEO: Section of Liverpool Fans Heckle Manchester United Star Upon Arrival at UCL Final in Kiev," 28 May 2018 That click wheel was the pinnacle of iPod design — so much so that for the rest of its non-touchscreen iPods, Apple didn’t mess with the design, even on its diminutive iPod nano. — Chaim Gartenberg, The Verge, "Button of the Month: iPod click wheel," 21 Nov. 2018 The World Cup is no longer the pinnacle of the game, the highest stage the sport can offer. — Rory Smith, New York Times, "When the World’s Greatest Soccer Players Gather, Scouts Stay Away," 5 July 2018 The Derby, first staged in 1780, is the pinnacle of European Flat racing and comes with a hefty dose of folklore and a chunky first prize of £920,000 ($1.23M). — Rob Hodgetts, CNN, "The Derby: Saxon Warrior set for '£50M payday' for Epsom Classic win," 31 May 2018 Yet the pinnacle of today's club game continued to evade the frontman until the very last. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 4 Weeks to Go - A Career Overview of Brazil's 2002 World Cup Hero, Ronaldo," 27 May 2018

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.