I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: pin (I) + point, n.
1.
a. : the point of a pin
left impaled upon the pinpoint — Marcia Davenport
b. : a very small, infinitesimal, or very sharp point
a pinpoint of rock — Wynford Vaughan-Thomas
above the town pinpoints of light twinkled — Eric Ambler
2.
a. : something that is relatively of very small size, scope, or importance
at this one pinpoint in the heart of the wilderness — Walter O'Meara
not a pinpoint of difference — Irish Digest
his interests and ideals shrink to the pinpoints of the commonplace — H.A.Overstreet
b.
(1) : a precisely identified point that locates a relatively small target, a place for rendezvous, or other strategic position or locality : the coordinates that define such a point
fussy to a fault about anchoring on the precise pinpoint assigned — K.M.Dodson
(2) : a target, installation, or other place on the ground thus located : a pinpoint target
hit his pinpoint
II. transitive verb
1.
a. : to locate with great precision or accuracy
can pinpoint the position of his aircraft within two miles — Time
b. : to make (something) a specific target of bombing, shelling, or air photography by means of precision instruments
pinpointed oil refineries and other strategic installations
c. : to aim or direct with great precision or accuracy
pinpoint very heavy bombs on the most vulnerable point — J.W.Angell
2.
a. : to fix, determine, or identify with precision
hope to pinpoint promising young engineers by psychometric methods — W.H.Hale
pinpoint and define the procedural rights of a citizen — New Republic
b. : to cause to stand out conspicuously : highlight , emphasize
pinpointed the obvious fact — Nona B. Brown
scenes that were supposed to pinpoint delicate emotional balances — Cecile Starr
3. : to punctuate with pinpoints of light
the lights of their cigarettes pinpointed the darkness — Robert De Vries
III. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective
1.
a. : extremely fine or precise
functions with pinpoint accuracy — Progress Thru Research
pinpoint localization of the foreign body — Journal American Medical Association
b. : located or fixed with great precision or accuracy
pinpoint targets
c. : directed with extreme precision
pinpoint bombardment
d. : extremely detailed or specific
a revulsion against pinpoint planning — A.M.Schlesinger b. 1917
opposed to pinpoint price control — New York Herald Tribune
2. : small as a pinpont
little pinpoint creatures — Anthony Standen
millions of pinpoint holes — T.R.Ybarra