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
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
His usual pinpoint control has suddenly disappeared.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 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
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Precise statistics about the number of people who were exchanged is hard to pinpoint, Van Hoy said.
—Joann Deluna, NPR, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinpoint
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Noun
Sinner changed his service mechanics, moving from a platform to a pinpoint stance, which helped vault him to the top of the game.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
His usual pinpoint control has suddenly disappeared.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 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
Using advanced neuroimaging techniques and the publicly accessible Julich-Brain Atlas, researchers from institutions in Germany and the University of Pennsylvania have pinpointed brain networks that show structural alterations in people exhibiting psychopathic traits.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Precise statistics about the number of people who were exchanged is hard to pinpoint, Van Hoy said.
—Joann Deluna, NPR, 30 June 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 6 Jul. 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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