pinpoint1 verbpinpoint2 noun
pinpointpin‧point1 /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/ verb [transitive] 
VERB TABLE
pinpoint
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | pinpoint |
| he, she, it | pinpoints | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | pinpointed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have pinpointed |
| he, she, it | has pinpointed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had pinpointed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will pinpoint |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have pinpointed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am pinpointing |
| he, she, it | is pinpointing | |
| you, we, they | are pinpointing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was pinpointing |
| you, we, they | were pinpointing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been pinpointing |
| he, she, it | has been pinpointing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been pinpointing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be pinpointing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been pinpointing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Investigators are trying the pinpoint the cause of the fire.
- Mechanics are having difficulty pinpointing the problem.
- Satellite pictures helped to pinpoint the locations of 13,000 troops.
- Scientists have been unable to pinpoint the exact causes of cancer.
- The test is meant to pinpoint which types of jobs you are suited for.
- At this very moment, other hoteliers no doubt are busy conducting surveys designed to pinpoint our newest whims.
- But the profiles also try to pinpoint physical characteristics, the paper said.
- Having already obtained an MoD licence and farmer's permission we set about trying to pinpoint the site.
- She could trace where they were by pinpointing him on Hal's map.
- There is a chapter later on that will help you pinpoint the good aspects of your everyday eating habits.
- Which is precisely why our guests have trouble pinpointing exactly which half they prefer.
Longman Language Activatorto find out the exact cause of something
to find out the exact details or facts about something, especially by using technical methods and equipment: · "Web police" are often able to determine the exact source of unwanted mailings on the Internet.determine what/why/how etc: · Quizzes are used to determine how much material students have learned.determine that: · A survey of traffic accidents determined that seat belts reduced serious injuries by up to 90%.
to find out facts that will prove how something happened or what caused it: · We haven't yet established the cause of the accident.establish that: · It was quickly established that several members of the crew had been negligent.establish how/where/why etc: · They are carrying out research to establish exactly why so many species of songbird are disappearing.
to find out exactly what the cause or origin of something is: · After years of research, scientists have identified the virus that is responsible for the disease.· Experts are examining the wreckage, but the cause of the accident has not yet been identified.
to find out exactly what something is, when something happened, or what exactly is causing something: · Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of the fire.· Mechanics are having difficulty pinpointing the problem.pinpoint what/how/when etc: · The test is meant to pinpoint which types of jobs you are suited for.
to find out what is wrong with someone or something, especially what illness someone has, by making a careful examination: · If cervical cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, it can be cured.diagnose somebody as having something (=find out that they have a particular disease): · Several years ago, she was diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease.diagnose something as something: · Programmers diagnosed the problem as a computer virus.diagnose what/how/where etc: · There are various methods for diagnosing what is wrong with a sick person.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Rescue teams have now pinpointed the location of the ship.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
1to discover or explain exactly the real facts about something or the cause of a problem: Rescue teams have now pinpointed the location of the ship.· Medical science may not be able to specifically pinpoint the cause of the disease or link negligent conduct to its appearance.· Which is good, because pinpointing the exact cause of a flu-like malaise is often more art than science.· Electricians could not pinpoint a cause.· And it has eluded efforts so far to pinpoint a cause.· Fire officials said they believe the blaze originated in the destroyed heavy rescue squad truck but had not pinpointed a cause Friday.· He worried over it for a few seconds before he pinpointed the cause.
· The reference enables you to pinpoint the establishment's location on the Brighton and Hove Street Plan, pages ii and iii.· Although we could see it, an odd weightlessness rising from the fog, we could not pinpoint its location.· The shots register on a computer map, helping dispatchers quickly pinpoint the location and send help.
· Without exception, they all pinpoint their problem to a personal unhappiness and lack of self-esteem.· Each division of the school receives its own results, which allow it to pinpoint problems and take appropriate action.· Firstly, we were able to pinpoint a particular problem that arose only in the context of a complete system.· They will chat to a counsellor who may propose several possible paths to take and help to pinpoint the problem.· This pinpointed the main problem ara - non-asbestos work resulting in damage to asbestos-containing insulation material.· Regular usage will help to pinpoint a problem before it turns into a crisis.· Having pinpointed a problem, then you make drills to help you master it.
VERB· There is a chapter later on that will help you pinpoint the good aspects of your everyday eating habits.· Toxic Work will help you pinpoint the workplace predicaments and stressors that are particularly harmful to you.· They will chat to a counsellor who may propose several possible paths to take and help to pinpoint the problem.· The shots register on a computer map, helping dispatchers quickly pinpoint the location and send help.· Regular usage will help to pinpoint a problem before it turns into a crisis.· There was no break in the uniformity; no landmark to help pinpoint her position.· Examples of assessment tasks accompanying the criterion statements may help to pinpoint more precisely the domain referred to in a criterion statement.· There was a lot of shouting, helping him pinpoint where the search parties were positioned.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the cause of the accident.pinpoint what/how/why etc They need to pinpoint exactly what skills are necessary.2to find or show the exact position of something: Rescue teams have now pinpointed the location of the ship.pinpoint1 verbpinpoint2 noun
pinpointpinpoint2 noun [countable] 1a very small area or dot of somethingpinpoint of tiny pinpoints of light2with pinpoint accuracy very exactly: The missiles can hit targets with pinpoint accuracy.