POINT | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English: the noun partly from Old French point, from Latin punctum ‘something that is pricked’, giving rise to the senses ‘unit, mark, point in space or time’; partly from Old French pointe, from Latin puncta ‘pricking’, giving rise to the senses ‘sharp tip, promontory’. The verb is from Old French pointer, and in some senses from the English noun

the tapered, sharp end of a tool, weapon, or other object

tapered sharp end of tool etc.

• the point of his dagger
• a pencil point

a dot or other punctuation mark, in particular a full stop.

full stop or similar punctuation mark

a particular spot, place, or position in an area or on a map, object, or surface

place or position in area or on map etc.

• turn left at the point where you see a sign to Appleford
• the furthermost point of the gallery
• the check-in point

a single item or detail in an extended discussion, list, or text

item in extended discussion or list

• the main points of the Edinburgh agreement

(in sports and games) a mark or unit of scoring awarded for success or performance

(in sport etc.) unit used in scoring

• he kicked a penalty goal to put Bangor eight points ahead

each of thirty-two directions marked at equal distances round a compass.

direction marked on compass

a socket in a wall for connecting a device to an electrical supply or communications network

socket for connection to electrical supply or communications network

• a power point
• a telephone point

a narrow piece of land jutting out into the sea

narrow headland

• the boat came round the point
• Blakeney Point

a junction of two railway lines, with a pair of linked tapering rails that can be moved laterally to allow a train to pass from one line to the other

junction of railway lines

• the train gave a lurch as it passed over the points

a unit of measurement for type sizes and spacing (in the UK and US 0.351 mm, in Europe 0.376 mm).

unit of measurement for type sizes

a fielding position on the off side near the batter.

fielding position on off side near batter

(in a motor vehicle) each of a set of electrical contacts in the distributor.

(in motor vehicle) electrical contact in distributor

a small leading party of an advanced guard of troops.

leading party of advanced guard of troops

the extremities of an animal, typically a horse or cat, such as the face, paws, and tail of a Siamese cat

extremities such as face paws etc. of animal

• a pure white dog with black points

a spot to which a straight run is made.

spot to which straight run is made

a tagged piece of ribbon or cord used for lacing a garment or attaching a hose to a doublet.

ribbon or cord for lacing garment

a short piece of cord at the lower edge of a sail for tying up a reef.

cord on sail for tying reef

the action or position of a dog in pointing

action or position of dog in pointing

• a bird dog on point

an important phrase or subject, especially in a contrapuntal composition.

important phrase or subject

direct someone's attention towards something by extending one's finger or something held in one's hand

direct attention towards something by extending finger etc.

• the lads were nudging each other and pointing at me

give force or emphasis to (words or actions)

give force to

• he wouldn't miss the opportunity to point a moral

extend (the toes or feet) in line with the leg by tensing the foot and ankle in such a way as to form a point

extend toes to form point

• reach up with your arms and point your toes

fill the joints of (brickwork or masonry) with smoothly finished mortar

fill joints of brickwork or masonry with mortar or cement

• the bricks have been poorly pointed

give a sharp, tapered point to

give sharp point to

• he twisted and pointed his moustache

insert points in (written text of Semitic languages).

insert points in Semitic text