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
Capturing the constellations can be tricky and can often require manual focus to get the stars pinpoint sharp but autofocus can help. Harry Bennett, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025 High velocity, nasty breaking stuff, pinpoint location -- Guerrero has hammered them all without discrimination. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In short, the tacit dress code was ultra-ultra-pinpoint hip, but effortless! Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 His round featured a pinpoint six-iron to 10 feet for eagle at the seventh. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Verb
The alarming discovery led authorities to pinpoint several neighborhood blocks as possible sources. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025 His insights may be used to pinpoint genes that help plants adapt to environmental stressors, such as disease or extreme weather, which scientists could then work to enhance in vulnerable species. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 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 6 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!