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pinnacle

noun
pin·​na·​cle | \ ˈpi-ni-kÉ™l How to pronounce pinnacle (audio) \

Definition of pinnacle

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an upright architectural member generally ending in a small spire and used especially in Gothic construction to give weight especially to a buttress
2 : a structure or formation suggesting a pinnacle specifically : a lofty peak
3 : the highest point of development or achievement : acme

pinnacle

verb
pinnacled; pinnacling\ ˈpi-​ni-​k(É™-​)liÅ‹ How to pronounce pinnacling (audio) \

Definition of pinnacle (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to surmount with a pinnacle
2 : to raise or rear on a pinnacle

Illustration of pinnacle

Illustration of pinnacle

Noun

P pinnacle 1

In the meaning defined above

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about pinnacle

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Choose the Right Synonym for pinnacle

Noun

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable. at the summit of the Victorian social scene peak suggests the highest among other high points. an artist working at the peak of her powers pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height. the pinnacle of worldly success climax implies the highest point in an ascending series. the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge. the apex of Dutch culture acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing. a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective. the culmination of years of effort

Did You Know?

Noun

Pinnacle is one of several words that aspire to both literal and figurative heights. Others include summit, peak, climax, apex, acme, and culmination. All of these can refer to the highest point of a mountain or structure, or the highest point attained or attainable over a person's lifetime, career, etc. When referring to part of a building, pinnacle describes a projection on top of a tower (as on a Gothic cathedral). The word derives via Anglo-French from Late Latin pinnaculum, meaning "small wing," a diminutive of pinna, meaning "wing or battlement." When used figuratively, pinnacle sometimes implies a dizzying and insecure height, such as that brought on by unexpected fame.

Examples of pinnacle in a Sentence

Noun

 a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 This effort reached its pinnacle when Neil Armstrong stepped off the Eagle landing module onto the lunar surface 50 years ago. — Jean Creighton, Quartz, "These innovations from the Moon landing changed life on Earth," 19 July 2019 Right now, a beautiful game is being marred by an ugly presence at its pinnacle. — Lz Granderson, latimes.com, "Serena Williams would be a more fitting Grand Slam record holder than Margaret Court," 13 July 2019 At the same time, herbal supplements were on a steady upward climb toward their pinnacle today as a $49 billion-a-year industry. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, Vox, "The all-too-understandable urge to buy a better brain," 8 July 2019 Experts say school desegregation reached its pinnacle in 1988. — Laura Meckler, Washington Post, "Effective but never popular, court-ordered busing is a relic few would revive.," 7 July 2019 Edwards’s college career reached its pinnacle in that game, but there’s a lot more to him. — Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, "Meet all four of the Celtics’ draft picks," 21 June 2019 Located at 730 Fifth Avenue, the building is known for its green copper pinnacle that lights up at night with gold accents. — Katherine Clarke, WSJ, "A Russian Billionaire’s $1.3 Billion Bet on New York’s Iconic Crown Building," 13 June 2019 It could be said that the art of miniature golf design reached its pinnacle when some crafty individual decided to plop a windmill on a course, challenging players to sink a hole-in-one past its rotating blades. — Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, "This Summer, Play Nine Holes at This ‘Art Course’ in Kansas City," 11 June 2019 The Si strikes an ideal middle ground between the Civic's pragmatic roots and its performance pinnacle. — Car and Driver, "2019 10Best Cars," 28 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 At the start of 2015, Hollar's weight pinnacled at 678. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Surgery helped him lose almost 500 pounds. Now insurance won't help remove excess skin.," 4 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pinnacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pinnacle

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for pinnacle

Noun

Middle English pinacle, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pinnaculum small wing, gable, from Latin pinna wing, battlement

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More Definitions for pinnacle

pinnacle

noun
How to pronounce pinnacle (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pinnacle

: a high mountain top
: the best or most important part of something : the point of greatest success or achievement
: a tower on the roof of a building that comes to a narrow point at the top

See the full definition for pinnacle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pinnacle

noun

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