pinnacle

1 of 2

noun

pin·​na·​cle ˈpi-ni-kəl 

1

: an upright architectural member generally ending in a small spire and used especially in Gothic construction to give weight especially to a buttress

2

: a structure or formation suggesting a pinnacle

specifically : a lofty peak

3

: the highest point of development or achievement : acme

Illustration of pinnacle

• P pinnacle 1

pinnacle

2 of 2

verb

pinnacled; pinnacling ˈpi-ni-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to surmount with a pinnacle

2

: to raise or rear on a pinnacle

Did you know?

Pinnacle is one of several words that aspire to both literal and figurative heights. Others include summit, peak, climax, apex, acme, and culmination. All of these can refer to the highest point of a mountain or structure, or the highest point attained or attainable over a person's lifetime, career, etc. When referring to part of a building, pinnacle describes a projection on top of a tower (as on a Gothic cathedral). The word derives via Anglo-French from Late Latin pinnaculum, meaning "small wing," a diminutive of pinna, meaning "wing or battlement." When used figuratively, pinnacle sometimes implies a dizzying and insecure height, such as that brought on by unexpected fame.

Synonyms

Noun

• acme
• apex
• apogee
• capstone
• climax
• crescendo
• crest
• crown
• culmination
• head
• height
• high noon
• high-water mark
• meridian
• ne plus ultra
• noon
• noontime
• peak
• sum
• summit
• tip-top
• top
• zenith

Choose the Right Synonym for pinnacle

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable.

summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

Examples of pinnacle in a Sentence

Noun

a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sitting at the pinnacle of business aviation alongside Bombardier’s Global 7500, the G700 has the most spacious cabin in the industry, according to Gulfstream. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024

Wilson’s sophomore album, 2005’s All Jacked Up, didn’t quite reach the same sales heights as her debut album, while the songs found more moderate success on radio (though the album, and 2007’s One of the Boys, both reached the pinnacle of Billboard’s top country albums chart). —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pinacle, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pinnaculum small wing, gable, from Latin pinna wing, battlement

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

pinnacle

noun

pin·​na·​cle

ˈpin-i-kəl

1

: a slender tower generally coming to a point at the top

2

: a high pointed peak

3

: the highest point of achievement or development