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
Ben Standig, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
The moxie to audible — without permission — and deliver a pinpoint pass for a 42-yard gain is intoxicating.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 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
Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Machine downtime can sink by 30% to 50%, labor productivity can improve by 15% to 30%, and cost reduction from inventory holding can reach 15% to 20%, among other improvements pinpointed by McKinsey.
—Ethan Karp, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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
Daniels looked physically fine in the 27–22 Week 9 win at the New York Giants, where his pinpoint passes led to two touchdown throws to Terry McLaurin.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
The moxie to audible — without permission — and deliver a pinpoint pass for a 42-yard gain is intoxicating.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 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
Researchers analyzed ancient genes to pinpoint the time period, which is slightly more recent than previous estimates for the mating.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Machine downtime can sink by 30% to 50%, labor productivity can improve by 15% to 30%, and cost reduction from inventory holding can reach 15% to 20%, among other improvements pinpointed by McKinsey.
—Ethan Karp, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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 26 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share