1
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
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)
(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)
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
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
pointed; pointing; points
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
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 upElizabeth Hallpoint out a mistake
points 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
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
in point of
: with regard to : in the matter of
in point of law
in point of fact
: 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 MorinSynonyms
Examples of point in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
At that point, the department planned to test the pilot during two patrol shifts.
—Serena Lin, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Investigators are also working to determine why Ryan Routh, the suspect charged in the second assassination attempt in September, allegedly pointed a rifle toward Trump just outside the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for point 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
At one point in her life, stray dog Supai roamed around the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
At that point, the department planned to test the pilot during two patrol shifts.
—Serena Lin, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
Read: Scientists have been studying cancers in a very strange way for decades
BRCA’s name is a legacy of a time when scientists thought genetics would offer a simple way to diagnose and treat disease—that one specific mutation would point definitively to one specific cancer.
—Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Investigators are also working to determine why Ryan Routh, the suspect charged in the second assassination attempt in September, allegedly pointed a rifle toward Trump just outside the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for point
Articles Related to point
Dictionary Entries Near point
Cite this Entry
“Point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
point
1 of 2 noun1
a
: an individual detail : item
two points that were important to remember
b
: a distinguishing detail : characteristic
politeness was a strong point
c
: the chief part or meaning
the point of the joke
2
: a goal to be achieved : purpose
there's no point in continuing
3
a
: a geometric element that has position but no dimensions and is pictured as a small dot
b
: a usually small or precise place : locality
a starting point
c
: an exact moment
at this point they were interrupted
d
: a step, stage, or degree in development or rank
the melting point of ice
up to a point it was a good performance
4
a
: the usually sharp or tapering end of something (as a sword or pencil) : tip
b
: either of two metal pieces in a distributor through which the circuit is made or broken
5
: a piece of land that sticks out
6
7
a
: one of the 32 marks indicating direction on a compass used by seamen
b
: the difference of 11¼ degrees between two such adjacent points
8
: a unit used in giving a value or score
scored fifteen points
9
: the action of pointing
point
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to furnish with a point
point a pencil with a knife
b
: to give force to
point up a remark with actual examples
2
b
: to separate a fraction from a whole number by a decimal point
point off three decimal places
3
a
: to show the position or direction of especially by extending a finger
point out a house
b
: to direct someone's attention to
point out a mistake
c
: to indicate game by freezing into a fixed position with head and gaze directed toward the object hunted
a dog that points well
4
: to turn, face, or cause to be turned in a particular direction : aim
point the boat upstream
5
: to indicate the fact or probability of something
everything points to a bright future
Medical Definition
point
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 2 intransitive verb
of an abscess
: to become distended with pus prior to breaking
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