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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
At 77, Plant is reaching new artistic heights with a one-woman, four-man band that repeatedly elevated the English singer-songwriter’s genre-blurring music with sensitivity, adventurous spirit and a pinpoint command of instrumental and vocal dynamics. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025 Its algorithm pinpoints products for users based on their searches in the app. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Getting perfectly pinpoint stars can be a struggle from the lack of low-light autofocus and struggles with faint objects in the optical viewfinder. Harry Bennett, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025 In short, the tacit dress code was ultra-ultra-pinpoint hip, but effortless! Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The equipment allowed the researchers to pinpoint the area emitting the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale's unique call without first sighting the animals, which are among the deepest-diving mammals in the world. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025 Too much screen time and exposure to social media were pinpointed as culprits of poor health outcomes in children. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinpoint

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

Cite this Entry

“Pinpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinpoint. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

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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