pinprick

1 of 2

noun

pin·​prick ˈpin-ˌprik 

1

: a small puncture made by or as if by a pin

2

: a petty irritation or annoyance

pinprick

2 of 2

verb

pinpricked; pinpricking; pinpricks

transitive verb

: to administer pinpricks to

intransitive verb

: to administer pinpricks

Synonyms

Noun

• perforation
• pinhole
• prick
• punch
• puncture
• stab

Examples of pinprick in a Sentence

Noun

He felt a pinprick in his leg.

the nurse kindly put a decorated bandage over the pinprick from the injection

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Come springtime, wildflowers carpet the desert floor; snails, fish and toads dwell in turquoise pools and springs; blue-hued sage and pinprick monkeyflowers grow from ancient living crust. —Meg Bernhard, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Aitken doesn’t skimp on incredible, immersive hummingbird footage, all bright colors and fast-flapping wings, quick little tails, shining pinprick eyes. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025

Verb

At this height, the real thing looks fake, a composite of toy skyscrapers, tinfoil rivers, pinprick traffic lights, Central Park the size of a welcome mat, and some sort of nature in the hazy distance. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2021

The teeny pinpricks force the skin to heal and build up stronger than before, while the device also deposits serum deeper into the skin. —Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 9 Nov. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

pinprick

noun

pin·​prick

ˈpin-ˌprik

: a small puncture made by or as if by a pin

also : a small but unpleasant sensation

the steady pinprick of a guilty conscience