pinpoint

noun pin·point \ ˈpin-ˌpȯint \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of pinpoint

1 : something that is extremely small or insignificant

2 : the point of a pin

3 : an extremely small or sharp point

See pinpoint defined for English-language learners

See pinpoint defined for kids

Recent Examples of pinpoint from the Web

Benassi gave the visitors the lead after seven minutes at the Stadio Olympico after a pinpoint Riccardo Saponara cross, with Simeone doubling their advantage five minutes before the break.

— emmeline moore, chicagotribune.com, "Serie A Recap: Dybala nets hat trick as Juve win at Benevento," 7 Apr. 2018
When Hadelich first came on the scene, he was noted for his pinpoint brilliance and for his sweet, cultured, almost old-fashioned tone.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Augustin Hadelich’s Bold Violin Explorations," 2 Apr. 2018
Cincinnati took the lead in the 26th minute when right winger Emmanuel Ledesma's pinpoint cross found forward Emery Welshman, who's back-post header beat Indy goalkeeper Owain Fôn Williams.

— charlie hatch, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati beats Indy Eleven 1-0, remains unbeaten in USL play," 31 Mar. 2018
There was the curve of an arch, the pinpoints of five toes, a smear where someone may have slipped in the mud.

— author: sarah kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, "The oldest footprints in North America are right where Native historians said they should be," 30 Mar. 2018
In his second start, the 26-year-old took four shots and set up a Juan Agudelo headed goal with a pinpoint cross.

— dan mcloone, BostonGlobe.com, "Revolution ready to press for road win against Houston," 30 Mar. 2018
Grindr did make some changes, allowing users to turn off its pinpoint location function and turning off the default location option in countries where gay people face violence and persecution.

— brian latimer /, NBC News, "Security flaws in gay dating app Grindr expose users' location data," 28 Mar. 2018
While driverless cars use a variety of sensors, including lidar (a laser form of radar), radar and cameras, few companies have discussed using pinpoint precision GPS.

— carolyn said, San Francisco Chronicle, "Swift adds terrestrial base stations to improve GPS accuracy," 20 Mar. 2018
Then, with 4:23 expired in the third, Trocheck made a pinpoint pass to set up Jonathan Huberdeau on the doorstep to tie the score 3-3.

— walter villa, miamiherald, "The Panthers’ home winning streak may be over, but the playoff chase is alive and well | Miami Herald," 12 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of pinpoint

1670

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

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pinpoint

adjective

Definition of pinpoint

1 : extremely fine or precise

2 : located, fixed, or directed with extreme precision

pinpoint targets

3 : small as a pinpoint

See pinpoint defined for English-language learners

Examples of pinpoint in a Sentence

The pitcher showed pinpoint control of his fastball.
the pinpoint measurement of brain tumors is critically important

Recent Examples of pinpoint from the Web

In some cities, like Houston and Dallas, utilities have already undertaken to upgrade their systems with new, digital equipment, allowing repair crews to more precisely pinpoint damage during storms.

— james osborne, Houston Chronicle, "Energy lobbyists increase pressure on Congress to speed up permitting," 8 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of pinpoint

1897

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pinpoint Synonyms

pinpoint

verb

Definition of pinpoint

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

See pinpoint defined for English-language learners

Examples of pinpoint in a Sentence

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 of pinpoint from the Web

With blockchain, grocers can quickly pinpoint the source, narrowed to a single region or even a single farm.

— luzi-ann javier, Bloomberg.com, "Yes, These Chickens Are on the Blockchain," 9 Apr. 2018
The trio’s tradition began in the early ’90s — none of them can quite pinpoint when — after Bougas and Dominguez met while bartending.

— andrew sessa, BostonGlobe.com, "A restaurant idea cooked up at Patriots Day barbecues," 9 Apr. 2018
Police in San Bruno, California, have pinpointed this as a motive, and videos allegedly posted by the shooter before the incident show her accusing the platform of restricting her content.

— aj willingham, CNN, "5 things for April 5: Mexican border, YouTube shooting, Facebook, Russia, teachers," 5 Apr. 2018
There were MRIs, tissue samples, blood draws, and a string of visits with neurologists and heart specialists and genetics experts, but nobody could pinpoint the cause.

— robert ito, Los Angeles Magazine, "Doctors Are Becoming DNA Detectives to Diagnose Super-Rare Diseases," 4 Apr. 2018
Elimination diets can be great diagnostic tools for helping people pinpoint (and avoid) specific irritants, but only when done under the care and supervision of a licensed professional.

— christine byrne, SELF, "19 Healthy Food Blogs for Whole30 Recipes and Ideas," 2 Apr. 2018
The Local SIM app can pinpoint the best local cellular carrier to grab your SIM card.

— talia avakian, Time, "Here's Everything You Need to Travel the World," 2 Apr. 2018
For example, Bayly says, by comparing the motions of different modes, researchers might pinpoint brain areas most susceptible to damage.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Concussions originate from ringing deep inside the brain, modeling suggests," 30 Mar. 2018
Car companies that typically charge a hefty premium have issued recalls to fix various glitches, and regulators now pinpoint software problems as being responsible for an increasing number of malfunctions.

— chester dawson, WSJ, "In Car Makers’ Digital Dash, Little Room for Error," 27 Mar. 2018