pinpoint

Everyday

1. verb: To find or show the exact place, cause or time of something. tree →
2. noun: A very small dot or point, like the point of a pin: "a pinpoint of light". tree →
3. adjective: Very exact: "pinpoint accuracy". tree →

In the lessons

In geography and maps, you pinpoint a town on a map using grid references or coordinates. In science and detective stories, you pinpoint the cause of a problem. In sport, a pinpoint pass is very accurate.

Examples

• Can you pinpoint London on the map? tree →
• The doctor pinpointed the cause of the pain. tree →
• GPS can pinpoint your position. tree →
• A pinpoint of light shone in the dark cave. tree →
• The darts player threw with pinpoint accuracy. tree →
• It's hard to pinpoint exactly when the problem started. tree →

Note

Regular verb. One word. In maths and maps, to pinpoint means to give exact coordinates, such as (3, 5).