point
noun
\ ˈpȯint
\
\
Definition of point
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a(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
4a
: 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
5a
: 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
6a
: 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
8a
: a very small mark
(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
11a
: 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
13a
: 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
beside the point
in point of
to the point
on point
: 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
point
verb
pointed;
pointing;
points
Definition of point (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
3a(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)
4a(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 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
5a
: 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
1a
: 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