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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
The European Space Agency (ESA) had agreed to send a terrain camera called Pilot-D, which was meant to develop future pinpoint landing systems.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2023
With a sheer black bodice, her Dior gown brought Lawrence’s pinpoint sense of elegance back to the limelight.
—Henry Chandonnet, Peoplemag, 14 June 2023
New research pinpoints August 24th as the most common day for workers to call in sick.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2023
Search crews are taking Tuesday to rest after a 20-hour workday, but police said investigators are working to determine more pinpoint areas to search.
—Zaeem Shaikh, Dallas News, 11 Apr. 2023
His pinpoint control pitches, his arsenal of weapons and pitch shapes helped earn him two Cy Young awards.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Apr. 2023
Signs of an overdose include: lack of consciousness slow, shallow or no breathing
loud snoring or gurgling
pinpoint pupils
an inability to speak
a limp body
pale complexion
lips or fingernails that have begun to turn purple
But Narcan, which is available without a prescription, can be expensive.
—Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 22 July 2023
His pinpoint iron shots and hot putting was the difference.
—Matt Doherty, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2023
Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Those partnerships would be able to collect more detailed data that could more finely pinpoint actual demand by neighborhoods.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2019
Ice pick acne scars are small, narrow, pinpoint acne scars that penetrate deep into the skin, according to Gross.
—Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Jan. 2019
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, 8 Feb. 2018
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
School nurses like Hays were trained to recognize signs of an opioid overdose: stupor, choking, pinpoint pupils.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023
They were assigned to pinpoint the data available around UAP and produce a report that outlines a roadmap for how NASA can use its tools of science to obtain usable data to evaluate and provide suggestions moving.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2023
New York Fashion Week Begins: All the Stars at the First Two Nights of Parties
Similar to Kesha, Laverne Cox had a difficult time pinpointing just one of her many favorite Siriano looks.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
In his debut as the full-time starter, Jordan Love threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, showing the poise and pinpoint accuracy that has the team so excited about the 2020 first-round pick.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023
Those images, which NASA compiled into a time lapse video and published on Thursday, pinpointed several urban areas in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean as hotspots for air pollution, particularly during certain times of day.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2023
That was a hard answer to hear after Williams lit up the Coliseum again Saturday with a couple of deep balls and pinpoint slant passes and apparent general excellence.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
Without definitive tests to pinpoint chronic Lyme, and such a wide and often amorphous array of symptoms, desperate patients often find themselves in a bewildering and expensive maze of specialists.
—Kay Lazar, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Her ability to make melodies sing and dance is matched by her pinpoint articulation, rhythmic agility, lustrous tone and improvisational ingenuity.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
The European Space Agency (ESA) had agreed to send a terrain camera called Pilot-D, which was meant to develop future pinpoint landing systems.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2023
With a sheer black bodice, her Dior gown brought Lawrence’s pinpoint sense of elegance back to the limelight.
—Henry Chandonnet, Peoplemag, 14 June 2023
New research pinpoints August 24th as the most common day for workers to call in sick.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2023
Search crews are taking Tuesday to rest after a 20-hour workday, but police said investigators are working to determine more pinpoint areas to search.
—Zaeem Shaikh, Dallas News, 11 Apr. 2023
His pinpoint control pitches, his arsenal of weapons and pitch shapes helped earn him two Cy Young awards.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Apr. 2023
Signs of an overdose include: lack of consciousness slow, shallow or no breathing
loud snoring or gurgling
pinpoint pupils
an inability to speak
a limp body
pale complexion
lips or fingernails that have begun to turn purple
But Narcan, which is available without a prescription, can be expensive.
—Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 22 July 2023
His pinpoint iron shots and hot putting was the difference.
—Matt Doherty, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2023
Adjective
Saturday’s maneuver required pinpoint hand-eye coordination, body control and a flourish of power.
—Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Those partnerships would be able to collect more detailed data that could more finely pinpoint actual demand by neighborhoods.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2019
Ice pick acne scars are small, narrow, pinpoint acne scars that penetrate deep into the skin, according to Gross.
—Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Jan. 2019
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, 8 Feb. 2018
Verb
The offensive line protected Stafford, who had that pinpoint accuracy of two years ago, and the defense held the Seahawks to a mere 12 yards in the second half.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
School nurses like Hays were trained to recognize signs of an opioid overdose: stupor, choking, pinpoint pupils.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023
They were assigned to pinpoint the data available around UAP and produce a report that outlines a roadmap for how NASA can use its tools of science to obtain usable data to evaluate and provide suggestions moving.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2023
New York Fashion Week Begins: All the Stars at the First Two Nights of Parties
Similar to Kesha, Laverne Cox had a difficult time pinpointing just one of her many favorite Siriano looks.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
In his debut as the full-time starter, Jordan Love threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, showing the poise and pinpoint accuracy that has the team so excited about the 2020 first-round pick.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023
Those images, which NASA compiled into a time lapse video and published on Thursday, pinpointed several urban areas in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean as hotspots for air pollution, particularly during certain times of day.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2023
That was a hard answer to hear after Williams lit up the Coliseum again Saturday with a couple of deep balls and pinpoint slant passes and apparent general excellence.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
Without definitive tests to pinpoint chronic Lyme, and such a wide and often amorphous array of symptoms, desperate patients often find themselves in a bewildering and expensive maze of specialists.
—Kay Lazar, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
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
Dictionary Entries Near pinpoint
Cite this Entry
“Pinpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinpoint. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on pinpoint
Nglish: Translation of pinpoint for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pinpoint for Arabic Speakers
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