Illustration of pinnacle
- P pinnacle 1
pinnacle
1 of 2noun
pin·na·cle ˈpi-ni-kəl 
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
2 of 2verb
pinnacled; pinnacling ˈpi-ni-k(ə-)liŋ
transitive verb
1
: to surmount with a pinnacle
2
: to raise or rear on a pinnacle
Did you know?
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.
Synonyms
Noun
- acme
- apex
- apogee
- capstone
- climax
- crescendo
- crest
- crown
- culmination
- head
- height
- high noon
- high-water mark
- meridian
- ne plus ultra
- noon
- noontime
- peak
- sum
- summit
- tip-top
- top
- zenith
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success
Recent Examples on the Web
Casey Brogan, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 In 2022 owning land in the west is the pinnacle of acquisition. Antonia Hitchens, Town & Country, 8 June 2022 Vaughn started dancing in the clubs in Paradise Valley, but the pinnacle of dance in those days was at the Graystone Ballroom, a regal neo-Gothic structure up Woodward Avenue, the dividing line between White and Black Detroit. J. Lester Feder, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2022 The pinnacle of the project is the brand-new Presidential Suite, which was a private apartment until now. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2022 Perched on Prince Street in Soho, the eclectic home sits at the pinnacle of a five-unit co-op built in 1889 by Richard Berger. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2022 At the time of the concert, Franklin was at the pinnacle of her fame and power, with 20 albums and 5 Grammys under her belt. Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2022 Adrienne Schneider was at the pinnacle of her career. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2022 The dads have all spent time around the club this season, offering tips and sharing stories from decades at the pinnacle of the sport. CBS News, 5 Aug. 2022 Matt Goul, cleveland, 19 Mar. 2021 At the start of 2015, Hollar's weight pinnacled at 678. Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, 4 Feb. 2018 See More
Noun
The pinnacle of those clashes with foreign foes in Fairbanks featured in the film is a 1986 series with a Soviet Union team. Casey Brogan, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 In 2022 owning land in the west is the pinnacle of acquisition. Antonia Hitchens, Town & Country, 8 June 2022 Vaughn started dancing in the clubs in Paradise Valley, but the pinnacle of dance in those days was at the Graystone Ballroom, a regal neo-Gothic structure up Woodward Avenue, the dividing line between White and Black Detroit. J. Lester Feder, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2022 The pinnacle of the project is the brand-new Presidential Suite, which was a private apartment until now. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2022 Perched on Prince Street in Soho, the eclectic home sits at the pinnacle of a five-unit co-op built in 1889 by Richard Berger. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2022 At the time of the concert, Franklin was at the pinnacle of her fame and power, with 20 albums and 5 Grammys under her belt. Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2022 Adrienne Schneider was at the pinnacle of her career. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2022 The dads have all spent time around the club this season, offering tips and sharing stories from decades at the pinnacle of the sport. CBS News, 5 Aug. 2022 Verb
One father, two sons, all coaching their teams to pinnacle moments of their seasons. Matt Goul, cleveland, 19 Mar. 2021 At the start of 2015, Hollar's weight pinnacled at 678. Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, 4 Feb. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English pinacle, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pinnaculum small wing, gable, from Latin pinna wing, battlement
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
pinnacle
noun
pin·na·cle ˈpi-nə-kəl
1
: the peak of a mountain
2
: the highest point of development or achievement
Winning the award was the pinnacle of her career.
3
: a slender tower generally coming to a narrow point at the top
pinnacles
noun
as in zeniths
the highest part or point a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- zeniths
- heights
- tops
- peaks
- culminations
- apexes
- summits
- crests
- apices
- climaxes
- crowns
- capstones
- apogees
- crescendos
- crescendoes
- highlights
- acmes
- sums
- meridians
- noons
- heads
- high-water marks
- crescendi
- high noons
- glories
- tip-tops
- roofs
- noontimes
- flowers
- ceilings
- blossoms
- extremes
- blooms
- primes
- extremities
- caps
- flood tides
- highs
- ne plus ultras
- heydays
- tips
- vertices
- highspots
- vertexes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bottoms
- nadirs
- abysses
- feet
- bases
- foot
- rock bottoms
- minimums
- minima