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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacob Lev, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
His pinpoint accuracy, fearlessness and production are the top selling points.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Saturday’s maneuver required pinpoint hand-eye coordination, body control and a flourish of power.
—Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
When an asteroid is identified, scientists cannot pinpoint its exact future location, but instead can gather data to predict its location within a range.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pinpoint 
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
In the closing minutes of the second period, Finland’s Aleksander Barkov made easy work of the pinpoint assist from teammate Olli Maatta to knot the game at 3-3.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
His pinpoint accuracy, fearlessness and production are the top selling points.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Second, the singular nature of Eve is not a quasi-creationist argument for a pinpoint origin of humanity in a unique woman.
—Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Saturday’s maneuver required pinpoint hand-eye coordination, body control and a flourish of power.
—Phil Thompson, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Verb
By monitoring the device's response, such as delays, errors, or crashes, the adversary can pinpoint weaknesses in the Bluetooth protocol stack, potentially uncovering exploitable vulnerabilities.
—Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
When an asteroid is identified, scientists cannot pinpoint its exact future location, but instead can gather data to predict its location within a range.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pinpoint
Dictionary Entries Near pinpoint
Cite this Entry
“Pinpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinpoint. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share