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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
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Mark Margolis, the longtime character actor whose career pinnacled with unforgettable arcs on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has died at the age of 83.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2023
One father, two sons, all coaching their teams to pinnacle moments of their seasons.
—Matt Goul, cleveland, 19 Mar. 2021
At the start of 2015, Hollar's weight pinnacled at 678.
—Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, 4 Feb. 2018
See All Example Sentences for pinnacle
Cite this Entry
“Pinnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinnacle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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