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
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023
Another great catch came late in the practice, when safety Kyle Hamilton had Likely covered but Likely still hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass on a perfect and tight pinpoint pass from Jackson.
—Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 30 July 2024
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
Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
The Ukrainian-American businessman pinpointed Biden because his father, Joe Biden, was perceived by Trump as his biggest threat to re-election in 2020.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pinpoint 
Noun
At the cloud's center, nearly shrouded by the debris, is a pinpoint of light: a pulsar, the leftover core of the massive star that exploded so long ago.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023
Another great catch came late in the practice, when safety Kyle Hamilton had Likely covered but Likely still hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass on a perfect and tight pinpoint pass from Jackson.
—Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 30 July 2024
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
With Adobe Content Analytics, currently in beta, actionable insights can even pinpoint the exact content attributes that have resonated best with target audiences, giving teams a steer on what to create in future.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
The Ukrainian-American businessman pinpointed Biden because his father, Joe Biden, was perceived by Trump as his biggest threat to re-election in 2020.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pinpoint
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pinpoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pinpoint
Cite this Entry
“Pinpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinpoint. Accessed 23 Sep. 2024.
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
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