point
1 of 2noun
ˈpȯint 
1
a(1)
: an individual detail : item
(2)
: a distinguishing detail
tact is one of her strong points
b
: the most important essential in a discussion or matter
missed the whole point of the joke
c
: cogency
2
obsolete : physical condition
3
: an end or object to be achieved : purpose
did not see what point there was in continuing the discussion
4
a
: a geometric element that has zero dimensions and a location determinable by an ordered set of coordinates
b(1)
: a narrowly localized place having a precisely indicated position
walked to a point 50 yards north of the building
(2)
: a particular place : locality
have come from distant points
c(1)
: an exact moment
at this point I was interrupted
(2)
: a time interval immediately before something indicated : verge
at the point of death
d(1)
: a particular step, stage, or degree in development
had reached the point where nothing seemed to matter anymore
(2)
: a definite position in a scale
5
a
: the terminal usually sharp or narrowly rounded part of something : tip
b
: a weapon or tool having such a part and used for stabbing or piercing: such as
(1)
: arrowhead
(2)
: spearhead
c(1)
: the contact or discharge extremity of an electric device (such as a spark plug or distributor)
(2)
chiefly British : an electric outlet
6
a
: a projecting usually tapering piece of land or a sharp prominence
b(1)
: the tip of a projecting body part
(2)
: tine sense 2
(3)
points plural : the extremities or markings of the extremities of an animal especially when of a color differing from the rest of the body
c
: a railroad switch
d
: the head of the bow of a stringed instrument
7
: a short musical phrase
especially : a phrase in contrapuntal music
8
a
: a very small mark
b(1)
: punctuation mark
especially : period sense 5a(1)
(2)
: decimal point
9
: a lace for tying parts of a garment together used especially in the 16th and 17th centuries
10
: one of usually 11 divisions of a heraldic shield that determines the position of a charge
11
a
: one of the 32 equidistant spots of a compass card for indicating direction
b
: the difference of 11¹/₄ degrees between two such successive points
c
: a direction indicated by a compass point
from all points of the compass
12
: a small detachment ahead of an advance guard or behind a rear guard
13
a
: needlepoint sense 1
b
: lace made with a bobbin
14
: one of 12 spaces marked off on each side of a backgammon board
15
: a unit of measurement: such as
a(1)
: a unit of counting in the scoring of a game or contest
(2)
: a unit used in evaluating the strength of a bridge hand
b
: a unit of academic credit
c(1)
: a unit used in quoting prices (as of stocks, bonds, and commodities)
(2)
points plural : a percentage of the face value of a loan often added as a placement fee or service charge
(3)
: a percentage of the profits of a business venture (such as a motion-picture production)
d
: a unit of about ¹/₇₂ inch used especially to measure the size of type
16
: the action of pointing: such as
a
: the rigidly intent attitude of a hunting dog marking game for a gunner
b
: the action in dancing of extending one leg and arching the foot so that only the tips of the toes touch the floor
17
: a position of a player in various games (such as lacrosse)
also : the player of such a position
18
: a number thrown on the first roll of the dice in craps which the player attempts to repeat before throwing a seven compare missout, pass sense 13
19
: credit accruing from creating a good impression
scored points for hard work
point
2 of 2verb
pointed; pointing; points
transitive verb
1
a
: to furnish with a point : sharpen
pointing a pencil with a knife
b
: to give added force, emphasis, or piquancy to
point up a remark
2
: to scratch out the old mortar from the joints of (something, such as a brick wall) and fill in with new material
3
a(1)
: to mark the pauses or grammatical divisions in : punctuate
(2)
: to separate (a decimal fraction) from an integer by a decimal point —usually used with off
b
: to mark (words, such as Hebrew words) with diacritics (such as vowel points)
4
a(1)
: to indicate the position or direction of especially by extending a finger
point the way home
(2)
: to direct someone's attention to
point the way to new knowledge
Elizabeth Hall
—usually used with out or up Elizabeth Hall point out a mistakepoints up the difference
b
of a hunting dog : to indicate the presence and place of (game) by stiffening into a fixed position with head and gaze directed toward the animal hunted
5
a
: to cause to be turned in a particular direction
point a gun
pointed the boat upstream
b
: to extend (a leg) and arch (the foot) in executing a point in dancing
intransitive verb
1
a
: to indicate the fact or probability of something specified
everything points to a bright future
b
: to indicate the position or direction of something especially by extending a finger
point at the map
c
: to direct attention
can point with pride to their own traditions
d
: to point game
a dog that points well
2
a
: to lie extended, aimed, or turned in a particular direction
a directional arrow that pointed to the north
b
: to execute a point in dancing
3
of a ship : to sail close to the wind
4
: to train for a particular contest
Phrases
beside the point : irrelevant
: with regard to : in the matter of
in point of law
in point of fact
: relevant, pertinent
a suggestion that was to the point
: relevant to the issue at hand : accurate and appropriate for the purpose or situation
trying to stay on point
And although much of this criticism is naïve, altogether too much of it is right on point Richard Morin
Richard Morin
Synonyms
Noun
- juncture
Verb
- bespeak
- betoken
- denote
- indicate
- mean
- signify
- tell (of)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun She showed us several graphs to illustrate the point she was making. I see your point, but I don't think everyone will agree. There's no use in arguing the point. He made a very good point about the need for change. Let me make one final point. That's the point I've been trying to make. “What's your point?” “Actually, I have two points.” My point is simply that we must do something to help the homeless. “If we leave now, we won't make it back in time.” “That's a good point.” There are two critical points that I would like to discuss. Verb “It's not polite to point,” she said. When I asked the child where his mother was, he pointed in the direction of the house. Pointing with his cane, the old man asked, “Whose dog is that?”. She pointed her finger at the door. They pointed their microphones in my direction. We can leave when the minute hand points to 12. Stand with your arms at your sides and your hands pointing downward. The ship was pointing into the wind. See More
Recent Examples on the Web NBC News, 18 Sep. 2022 So yes, to your larger point, guest extortion is appalling and Miss Manners is getting tired of pointing this out. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2022 But the tiny home record is mixed so far, and De León told a story to illustrate his point. Steve Lopezcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2022 The meeting took place over Zoom, DeLong noted, proving his point. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2022 The Frodo journey is what felt like my point of access. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 16 Sep. 2022 My lowest point in the house was definitely finding out about all the things Kyle had said before. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Its only point is to garner some attention from the Fox News set by portraying people who are merely seeking safety and economic security as violent criminals and traffickers. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 16 Sep. 2022 My point here is Hall won’t have this backfield handed to him. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2022 Fed officials point to a strong U.S. job market as evidence the biggest global economy can tolerate higher borrowing costs. CBS News, 30 Aug. 2022 That alone would not have granted access to Ring data, but Checkmarx was able to use a cross-site scripting vulnerability in Ring's internal browser to point it at an authorization token. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 18 Aug. 2022 His aim is to imagine and point us to a better world. Heller Mcalpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2022 The advice in this column is to point you in a direction that encourages healing and creates safety for you in this world. refinery29.com, 27 July 2022 Simply open the app, tap scan, and point it at the barcode on anything from a shampoo bottle to a pack of cookies. Simon Hill, Wired, 26 July 2022 Great trust and rapport is needed between diver and coach because almost every dive has imperfections, and coaches want to point them out to their divers while not discouraging them. New York Times, 18 July 2022 Endnotes point you in the direction of further study. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 9 July 2022 See More
Noun
Voters' feelings towards Mr. Trump are just 34% positive and 54% negative -- 20 points underwater -- it’s his lowest point in a year and a half. NBC News, 18 Sep. 2022 So yes, to your larger point, guest extortion is appalling and Miss Manners is getting tired of pointing this out. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2022 But the tiny home record is mixed so far, and De León told a story to illustrate his point. Steve Lopezcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2022 The meeting took place over Zoom, DeLong noted, proving his point. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2022 The Frodo journey is what felt like my point of access. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 16 Sep. 2022 My lowest point in the house was definitely finding out about all the things Kyle had said before. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Its only point is to garner some attention from the Fox News set by portraying people who are merely seeking safety and economic security as violent criminals and traffickers. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 16 Sep. 2022 My point here is Hall won’t have this backfield handed to him. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Verb
The man was put in contact with the article's author, who was able to point him to the field where the dead were buried. Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2022 Fed officials point to a strong U.S. job market as evidence the biggest global economy can tolerate higher borrowing costs. CBS News, 30 Aug. 2022 That alone would not have granted access to Ring data, but Checkmarx was able to use a cross-site scripting vulnerability in Ring's internal browser to point it at an authorization token. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 18 Aug. 2022 His aim is to imagine and point us to a better world. Heller Mcalpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2022 The advice in this column is to point you in a direction that encourages healing and creates safety for you in this world. refinery29.com, 27 July 2022 Simply open the app, tap scan, and point it at the barcode on anything from a shampoo bottle to a pack of cookies. Simon Hill, Wired, 26 July 2022 Great trust and rapport is needed between diver and coach because almost every dive has imperfections, and coaches want to point them out to their divers while not discouraging them. New York Times, 18 July 2022 Endnotes point you in the direction of further study. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 9 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, partly from Anglo-French, prick, dot, moment, from Latin punctum, from neuter of punctus, past participle of pungere to prick; partly from Anglo-French pointe sharp end, from Vulgar Latin *puncta, from Latin, feminine of punctus, past participle — more at pungent
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing point
Kids Definition
point 1 of 2
noun
ˈpȯint
1
: a separate or particular detail : item
She explained the main points of the plan.
2
: an individual quality : characteristic
He has many good points.
3
: the chief idea or meaning
the point of a story
4
: purpose, aim
There's no point in trying any more.
5
: a geometric element that has a position but no dimensions and is pictured as a small dot
6
: a particular place or position
We saw points of interest in the city.
7
: a particular stage or moment
the boiling point
Let's stop at this point.
8
: the usually sharp end (as of a sword, pin, or pencil)
9
: a piece of land that sticks out
10
: a dot in writing or printing
11
: one of the 32 marks indicating direction on a compass
12
: a unit of scoring in a game
I scored fifteen points.
point
2 of 2verb
pointed; pointing
1
: to show the position or direction of something especially by extending a finger in a particular direction
He pointed to the door.
2
: to direct someone's attention to
I pointed out the mistakes.
3
: aim entry 1 sense 1, direct
She pointed the telescope toward Mars.
The arrow pointed to the left.
4
: to give a sharp end to
point a pencil
Medical Definition
point 1 of 2
noun
ˈpȯint
1
: a narrowly localized place or area
2
: the terminal usually sharp or narrowly rounded part of something
3
: a definite measurable position in a scale see boiling point, freezing point
point
2 of 2intransitive verb
of an abscess
: to become distended with pus prior to breaking
Legal Definition
point
noun
1
: a particular detail, proposition, or issue of law
specifically : point of error
2
: any of various incremental units used in measuring, fixing, or calculating something: as
a
: a unit used in calculating a sentence by various factors (as aggravating or mitigating circumstances)
b
: a unit used in the pricing of securities and valuation of markets
c
: a charge to a borrower (as a mortgagor) that is equal to one percent of the principal and that is made at closing
points 1 of 2
noun
1
as in moments
a particular and often important moment in time it was at that point that I had to stop and check on the experiment Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- moments
- junctures
- minutes
- moments of truth
- seconds
- ticks
- instants
- trices
- split seconds
- thresholds
- winks
- shakes
- twinkles
- nanoseconds
- flashes
- crises
- bits
- spells
- beats
- wires
- heartbeats
- cusps
- whiles
- stretches
- nicks
- verges
- jiffies
- brinks
- crunch times
- cracks
2
as in tips
the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow be careful with the point on that umbrella, or you could hurt someone Synonyms & Similar Words
- tips
- ends
- apexes
- cusps
- apices
- noses
- pikes
- pinpoints
- nibs
- pike
- stickers
- tines
- spikes
- barbs
- prongs
- snags
- prickles
- jags
3
as in thresholds
an interval of time just before the onset of something was at the point of accepting the new job when he realized he didn't want to leave his old one Synonyms & Similar Words
- thresholds
- verges
- cusps
- brinks
- edges
- nicks
4
as in items
a separate part in a list, account, or series went down the list point by point Synonyms & Similar Words
- items
- things
- details
- elements
- articles
- objects
- particulars
- factors
- stuff
- components
- members
- features
- characteristics
- segments
- sections
- pieces
- portions
- ingredients
- particles
- belongings
- constituents
- divisions
- partitions
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compounds
- aggregates
- totals
- composites
- sums
- conglomerates
- summations
- wholes
- totalities
- entireties
5
as in facts
a single piece of information two points that are important to remember Synonyms & Similar Words
- facts
- details
- data
- items
- elements
- articles
- particulars
- factors
- parts
- components
- information
- specifics
- evidences
- ingredients
- facets
- aspects
- members
- niceties
- particularities
- circumstances
- constituents
- exhibits
- knowledges
- databases
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- errors
- inaccuracies
- misconceptions
- fallacies
- myths
- misstatements
- falsehoods
6
as in dots
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part the little points of gold in the blue ceiling are supposed to represent stars Synonyms & Similar Words
- dots
- specks
- patches
- flecks
- blotches
- spots
- pips
- stains
- mottles
- splotches
- speckles
- smudges
- eyespots
- dapples
- smears
- marks
- blobs
- moles
- blots
- freckles
- splashes
- birthmarks
- smutches
- spatters
- polka dots
7
as in peninsulas
an area of high ground jutting out into a body of water beyond the line of the coast the racing yacht rounded the point far ahead of its closest rival Synonyms & Similar Words
- peninsulas
- capes
- promontories
- headlands
- jetties
- nesses
- levees
- spits
- forelands
- breakwaters
8
as in capes
an area of land that juts out into a body of water Point Reyes, California Synonyms & Similar Words
- peninsulas
- capes
- promontories
- spits
- arms
- headlands
- nesses
- jetties
- forelands
- breakwaters
9
as in steps
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking at this point in your life, you should already be saving for retirement Synonyms & Similar Words
- steps
- stages
- chapters
- places
- phases
- inches
- degrees
- notches
- grades
- pegs
- angles
- aspects
- amounts
- sides
- cuts
- facets
- planes
- measures
- increments
- decrements
10
as in attributes
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind impeccable politeness has always been her strong point Synonyms & Similar Words
- attributes
- features
- characteristics
- qualities
- traits
- attributions
- criteria
- markers
- marks
- touches
- properties
- criterions
- hallmarks
- notes
- symbols
- specifics
- fingerprints
- signs
- characters
- stamps
- peculiarities
- indications
- particularities
- affections
- tokens
- badges
- diagnostics
- differentiae
- emblems
- merits
- virtues
- singularities
- graces
- charms
- excellences
- quirks
- eccentricities
- idiosyncrasies
- oddities
- individualities
11
as in locations
the area or space occupied by or intended for something runners began lining up by the starting point Synonyms & Similar Words
- locations
- places
- sites
- venues
- spots
- positions
- localities
- loci
- locales
- sections
- scenes
- regions
- emplacements
- wheres
- precincts
- sectors
- theres
- heres
12
as in goals
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish what we're doing does have a point—doesn't it? Synonyms & Similar Words
- goals
- purposes
- ideas
- objectives
- objects
- plans
- aims
- things
- intentions
- ambitions
- intents
- targets
- dreams
- aspirations
- meanings
- marks
- designs
- ideals
- pretensions
- ends
- bournes
- bourns
- projects
- hopes
- minds
- wishes
- destinations
- plots
- schemes
- desires
- holy grails
- terminuses
- termini
- grails
- nirvanas
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- methods
- means
- ways
13
as in essences
the central part or aspect of something under consideration that clueless reviewer seems to have missed the whole point of the book Synonyms & Similar Words
- essences
- hearts
- roots
- cores
- sums
- pivots
- kernels
- subjects
- bottom lines
- meats
- themes
- nubs
- bullseyes
- nets
- directions
- gists
- cruxes
- bull's-eyes
- keynotes
- nuclei
- piths
- centerpieces
- nucleuses
- cruces
- theses
- substances
- nubbins
- hypotheses
- contents
- propositions
- courses
- meat and potatoes
- drifts
- tenors
- bodies
- purports
points
2 of 2verb
1
as in signals
Synonyms & Similar Words
- signals
- hints
- mentions
- refers
- signalizes
- implies
- alludes
- indicates
- adverts
- intimates
- signifies
- suggests
- infers
- insinuates
- smells (of)
- smacks (of)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- explains
- declares
- proclaims
- announces
- elucidates
- describes
- spells out
- delineates
2
as in levels
Synonyms & Similar Words
- levels
- centers
- aims
- focuses
- sets
- rivets
- nails
- directs
- concentrates
- focusses
- homes (in on)
- trains
- hones in (on)
- minds
- zeroes (in on)
- fastens
- heeds
- attends
- refocuses
- fixates (on)
- obsesses (over)