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
Robbie Farias, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
With his camp sensibility [Puig] pinpoints so accurately the kitsch euphemisms, the everyday language of evasion.
—Suzanne Jill Levine
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 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
Scott White, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Everyone in Cardiff, Wales over the weekend (July 4, 5) no doubt had a similar story about their connection to Oasis, and can pinpoint the moment their world was altered by Liam and Noel Gallagher’s music, their attitude and outlook on life.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinpoint
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Noun
Map: Texas wildfire tracker The fire tracker provides a map with pinpoint locations of each fire and also shows where red flag warnings are in effect, among other information.
—Robbie Farias, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
With his camp sensibility [Puig] pinpoints so accurately the kitsch euphemisms, the everyday language of evasion.
—Suzanne Jill Levine
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 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
Their research pinpointed the core issue: a lack of knowledge, not a lack of interest.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Everyone in Cardiff, Wales over the weekend (July 4, 5) no doubt had a similar story about their connection to Oasis, and can pinpoint the moment their world was altered by Liam and Noel Gallagher’s music, their attitude and outlook on life.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 7 July 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 18 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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