# pinpoint

/ˈpɪnˌpɔɪnt/ (US) · /pˈɪnpɔɪnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pinpoint
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to identify exactly

verb · CEFR B2

to find or describe the exact reason for something or the exact place where it is.

For teachers: to identify or locate someone or something with extreme accuracy. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- It was difficult to pinpoint the exact moment the engine started making that noise.
- Forensic investigators worked for weeks to pinpoint the source of the leak within the complex network of underground pipes.

### 2. extremely precise

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

very accurate or specific, especially when talking about a location.

For teachers: characterised by extreme precision or specific focus, particularly regarding spatial coordinates or diagnostic accuracy.

- The pilot landed the helicopter with pinpoint accuracy on the small platform.
- The surgeon operated with pinpoint precision, ensuring that the surrounding healthy tissue remained entirely undisturbed during the procedure.

### 3. a tiny point

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a very small dot or the sharp end of a pin.

For teachers: the physical point of a pin, or figuratively, any infinitesimal point or tiny spot of light.

- In the distance, we could see a tiny pinpoint of light from a lonely cabin.
- The night sky was so clear that every star appeared as a sharp pinpoint against the deep velvet blackness.

## Examples

- The mechanic is trying to pinpoint the source of the noise.
- Using satellite data, the rescue team was able to pinpoint the hiker's exact location within minutes.
- Economists have struggled to pinpoint the precise moment the market shifted, as several overlapping factors contributed to the sudden decline in investor confidence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.