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
Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024
Time had not dimmed his ability to toss papers from the sidewalk onto porches with pinpoint accuracy.
—Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024
Space probes typically aim for landing sites that are at least several miles wide, but JAXA said the achievement of a pinpoint landing opens up new opportunities.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024
The coordinates that Near Intelligence collected and left exposed online pinpoint locations to within a few centimeters of space.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Just a few weeks ago Japan's 'Moon Sniper' rover made a pinpoint landing, making Japan only the fourth nation to successfully soft-land on the moon, joining the U.S, China and the Soviet Union.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
Blitzed by an onslaught of pinpoint Morgan Cheli passes, quick McKenna Woliczko layups and relentless defensive pressure from all sides, O’Dowd joined an ever-growing list of programs to be crushed this season by the San Jose private school.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2024
At first glance, the pinpoints of light shining in the blackness of space look like little stars.
—Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024
Attacking wise, Dalot’s ability to deliver pinpoint crosses and provide incisive passes from the flanks has been instrumental in unlocking opposition defences.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 29 Feb. 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
Those partnerships would be able to collect more detailed data that could more finely pinpoint actual demand by neighborhoods.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2019
Ice pick acne scars are small, narrow, pinpoint acne scars that penetrate deep into the skin, according to Gross.
—Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Jan. 2019
In some cities, like Houston and Dallas, utilities have already undertaken to upgrade their systems with new, digital equipment, allowing repair crews to more precisely pinpoint damage during storms.
—James Osborne, Houston Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2018
Reuters, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Astronomers have not been able to pinpoint the reasons behind the changes, but new research poses a somewhat simple explanation–aging.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
To gauge the depth of the current division and pinpoint the key contentious issues, the University of Southern California conducted an in-depth national survey.
—Morgan Polikoff, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
By reviewing each aspect of their operations, leaders can pinpoint opportunities to simplify workflows and eliminate unnecessary steps or tools.
—Francisco Ramirez, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The decision to forgo utilizing gunshot detection systems — which pinpoint incidents of gunfire — comes after a nine-week pilot program and follow-up report testing sensors installed by three vendors on the city's east side between September and December 2022.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Since there were no photographs, historical newspaper clippings about the accident helped pinpoint the location of the ship, explained underwater explorer and historian Valerie van Heest, who developed the search grid.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
In at least one case, records showed jailers couldn’t pinpoint exactly when the prisoner was last known to be alive.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
For one, twelve weeks may not have been enough to pinpoint a firm association between apple cider vinegar and weight loss, Abou-Khalil said.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Check In only pinpoints the destination on the map.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024
Time had not dimmed his ability to toss papers from the sidewalk onto porches with pinpoint accuracy.
—Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024
Space probes typically aim for landing sites that are at least several miles wide, but JAXA said the achievement of a pinpoint landing opens up new opportunities.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024
The coordinates that Near Intelligence collected and left exposed online pinpoint locations to within a few centimeters of space.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Just a few weeks ago Japan's 'Moon Sniper' rover made a pinpoint landing, making Japan only the fourth nation to successfully soft-land on the moon, joining the U.S, China and the Soviet Union.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
Blitzed by an onslaught of pinpoint Morgan Cheli passes, quick McKenna Woliczko layups and relentless defensive pressure from all sides, O’Dowd joined an ever-growing list of programs to be crushed this season by the San Jose private school.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2024
At first glance, the pinpoints of light shining in the blackness of space look like little stars.
—Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024
Attacking wise, Dalot’s ability to deliver pinpoint crosses and provide incisive passes from the flanks has been instrumental in unlocking opposition defences.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 29 Feb. 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
Those partnerships would be able to collect more detailed data that could more finely pinpoint actual demand by neighborhoods.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2019
Ice pick acne scars are small, narrow, pinpoint acne scars that penetrate deep into the skin, according to Gross.
—Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Jan. 2019
In some cities, like Houston and Dallas, utilities have already undertaken to upgrade their systems with new, digital equipment, allowing repair crews to more precisely pinpoint damage during storms.
—James Osborne, Houston Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2018
Verb
The residents said the drones appeared to monitor RSF movements, target their positions, and pinpoint artillery strikes in Omdurman, one of three cities on the banks of the Nile that comprise the capital Khartoum.
—Reuters, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Astronomers have not been able to pinpoint the reasons behind the changes, but new research poses a somewhat simple explanation–aging.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
To gauge the depth of the current division and pinpoint the key contentious issues, the University of Southern California conducted an in-depth national survey.
—Morgan Polikoff, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
By reviewing each aspect of their operations, leaders can pinpoint opportunities to simplify workflows and eliminate unnecessary steps or tools.
—Francisco Ramirez, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The decision to forgo utilizing gunshot detection systems — which pinpoint incidents of gunfire — comes after a nine-week pilot program and follow-up report testing sensors installed by three vendors on the city's east side between September and December 2022.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Since there were no photographs, historical newspaper clippings about the accident helped pinpoint the location of the ship, explained underwater explorer and historian Valerie van Heest, who developed the search grid.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
In at least one case, records showed jailers couldn’t pinpoint exactly when the prisoner was last known to be alive.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
For one, twelve weeks may not have been enough to pinpoint a firm association between apple cider vinegar and weight loss, Abou-Khalil said.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 29 Mar. 2024
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 18 Apr. 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