pinpoint

1 of 3

noun

pin·​point ˈpin-ˌpȯint How to pronounce pinpoint (audio)
1
: something that is extremely small or insignificant
2
: the point of a pin
3
: an extremely small or sharp point

pinpoint

2 of 3

adjective

1
: extremely fine or precise
2
: located, fixed, or directed with extreme precision
pinpoint targets
3
: small as a pinpoint

pinpoint

3 of 3

verb

pinpointed; pinpointing; pinpoints

transitive verb

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
Noun
At the cloud's center, nearly shrouded by the debris, is a pinpoint of light: a pulsar, the leftover core of the massive star that exploded so long ago. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 Another great catch came late in the practice, when safety Kyle Hamilton had Likely covered but Likely still hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass on a perfect and tight pinpoint pass from Jackson. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 30 July 2024
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
Work with training providers to evaluate your team’s current skill set and pinpoint areas for improvement. Jay Garcia, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Both orders were lifted Sunday at 4:40 p.m. Officials pinpointed the source of the leak as the Sinclair gas station at 2121 E. Harbor Blvd. Nathan Fenno, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pinpoint 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pinpoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinpoint was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near pinpoint

Cite this Entry

“Pinpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinpoint. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pinpoint

1 of 3 noun
pin·​point ˈpin-ˌpȯint How to pronounce pinpoint (audio)
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 adjective
1
: extremely fine or exact
pinpoint accuracy
2
: located, fixed, or directed with great exactness

More from Merriam-Webster on pinpoint

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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