pin·point
ˈpin-ˌpȯint 
1
: something that is extremely small or insignificant
2
: the point of a pin
3
: an extremely small or sharp point
1
: extremely fine or precise
2
: located, fixed, or directed with extreme precision
pinpoint targets
3
: small as a pinpoint
pinpointed; pinpointing; pinpoints
1
: to locate or aim with great precision or accuracy
pinpoint a source
2
a
: to fix, determine, or identify with precision
pinpoint the cause
b
: to cause to stand out conspicuously : highlight
Examples of pinpoint in a Sentence
Adjective
The pitcher showed pinpoint control of his fastball.
the pinpoint measurement of brain tumors is critically important
Verb
They were finally able to pinpoint the cause of the fire.
He pinpointed the city on the map.
Rescuers were able to pinpoint where the lost girl was.
The military uses computer imaging to pinpoint targets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Rumors in the automotive press pinpoint that location to Indiana, perhaps at a shuttered Ford or Chrysler plant in the Indianapolis area.
—New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Saturday’s maneuver required pinpoint hand-eye coordination, body control and a flourish of power.
—Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The evaluation assesses the potential of your case right from the start, saving you valuable time by pinpointing the most promising path forward and providing you with a clear plan outlining exactly what comes next.
—William Jones, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinpoint
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Noun
Hernández had long been convinced of Yamamoto’s potential, wowed by the pinpoint command of his upper-90s fastball and seemingly unhittable movement of his breaking pitches.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Rumors in the automotive press pinpoint that location to Indiana, perhaps at a shuttered Ford or Chrysler plant in the Indianapolis area.
—New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Second, the singular nature of Eve is not a quasi-creationist argument for a pinpoint origin of humanity in a unique woman.
—Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Saturday’s maneuver required pinpoint hand-eye coordination, body control and a flourish of power.
—Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Verb
Regulators can pinpoint precise interventions, and cities can compete on measurable impacts, not vague promises.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The evaluation assesses the potential of your case right from the start, saving you valuable time by pinpointing the most promising path forward and providing you with a clear plan outlining exactly what comes next.
—William Jones, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinpoint
Cite this Entry
“Pinpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinpoint. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pinpoint
1 of 3 noun
pin·point
ˈpin-ˌpȯint
1
: the point of a pin
2
: an extremely small or sharp point
a pinpoint of light in the darkness
pinpoint
2 of 3 verb
: to locate or identify exactly
pinpoint your career interests
pinpoint
3 of 3 adjective1
: extremely fine or exact
pinpoint accuracy
2
: located, fixed, or directed with great exactness
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