pip

C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English

n. a short, high-pitched electronic sound, often used to signal the time on the radio.

n. a short, high-frequency sound pulse, typically used as a time signal or in telecommunications.

“We heard the pips on the radio just before the news started at six o'clock.”

“The broadcast was preceded by six pips, the last of which marked the precise start of the new hour.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Military British English

n. a small star-shaped badge worn on a military or police uniform to show a person's rank.

n. a small insignia worn on the shoulder of a uniform to denote commissioned rank.

“The young officer was proud of the new pips on his shoulders.”

“Having recently been promoted to captain, he now wore three pips on each shoulder strap of his service dress.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Finance Technical

n. the smallest change in value for a currency price in trading.

n. the smallest unit of price change in foreign exchange trading, typically representing the fourth decimal place.

“The trader made a profit when the exchange rate moved up by ten pips.”

“High-frequency trading algorithms are designed to exploit price fluctuations as small as a single pip across multiple currency pairs.”

C1 · Advanced Sports British English · Informal

v. to beat someone in a race or competition by a very small amount.

v. to defeat a competitor by a very narrow margin, often at the final moment.

“She was leading the whole race, but another runner pipped her at the finish line.”

“The incumbent candidate was pipped at the post by a newcomer who won by fewer than fifty votes.”