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point

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The definition of a point is a sharp end or part of an argument.

(noun)

An example of point is the end of a pencil.
An example of point is a reason why someone is against abortion.

Point is defined as to gesture in the direction of someone or something.

(verb)

An example of point is for a child to aim his finger toward a rainbow with excitement.

See point in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a minute mark or dot
a dot in printing or writing, as a period, decimal point, vowel point, etc.
1. an element in geometry having definite position, but no size, shape, or extension: a line between two points
2. a particular or precisely specified position, location, place, or spot: points on an itinerary
1. any of certain positions a player is stationed at in cricket, lacrosse, and other games
2. the player at such a position
a particular time; exact moment: the point of death
a stage, condition, level, or degree reached or indicated: a boiling point
a particular detail or element; item: to explain a problem point by point
1. a distinguishing feature; characteristic
2. a physical characteristic or quality of an animal, used as a standard in judging breeding
a unit, as of measurement, value, game scores, etc.
1. a sharp or projecting end of something; tip
2. something with a sharp end
needlepoint lace
a projecting or tapering piece of land; promontory; cape
a horse's extremities
a branch of a deer's antler: a ten-point buck
1. the exact or essential fact or idea under consideration
2. the main idea, striking feature, or effective twist of a joke, story, etc.
a purpose; aim; object; use: no point in complaining
1. an impressive or telling argument, fact, or idea: he has a point there
2. ☆ a helpful hint or suggestion
the posture of a hunting dog to show the presence and position of game
☆ the number that the thrower must roll again before rolling a seven in order to win in craps
a unit used in rationing commodities, as in time of war
a jeweler's unit of weight, equal to carat: a 10-point diamond
Historical a cord with metal tips, used to lace up articles of clothing
Backgammon any of the 24 triangular spaces on the board
Ballet the position of being on the tips of the toes
Boxing a scoring unit used when the bout is not ended by a knockout: to win on points
☆ Educ. a unit used in grading school or college work and figuring a student's academic average: a grade of A is worth four points per credit
Elec.
1. either of the two contacts, tipped with tungsten or platinum, that make or break the circuit in some distributors
2. Brit. an electrical outlet
  in full power point
Finance
1. a standard unit of value used in quoting changes in the prices of stocks, bonds, etc.; specif., a $1 change in the price of a stock
2. a unit equal to one percent: a two-point rise in interest rates
3. an amount equal to one percent; specif., an amount equal to one percent of a loan secured by a mortgage: one or more points may be paid in advance by the borrower
Heraldry any of certain areas on a shield
Mil. a small party before an advance guard or behind a rear guard
Navigation
1. any of the 32 marks showing direction on the circumference of a compass card
2. any of the corresponding positions on the horizon
3. the angle between two successive compass points, equal to 11°
Printing a measuring unit for type bodies and printed matter, equal to about of an inch: there are 12 points in a pica
Railroading, Brit. switch (): usually used in pl.

Origin: OFr, dot, prick < L punctum, dot, neut. of punctus, pp. of pungere, to prick (< IE base *peuĝ-, *peu, to prick, jab > Ger fichte, spruce tree, L pugil, boxer, pugnus, fist); also < OFr pointe, sharp end < ML puncta < L punctus

transitive verb

1. to put punctuation marks or pauses in
2. to put vowel points on (Hebrew characters)
3. to mark off (sums or numbers) with points, as esp. a decimal fraction from a whole number: with off
to sharpen to a point, as a pencil
to give (a story, remark, anecdote, action, etc.) extra force or special emphasis, as by repetition or elaboration: usually with up
to show or call attention to: usually with out: to point the way, to point out a person's shortcomings
to aim or direct (a gun, finger, etc.)
to extend the foot so as to bring (the toe) more nearly in line with the leg
to show the presence and location of (game) by standing still and facing toward it: said of hunting dogs
Masonry to fill or refill and finish the joints of (brickwork or stonework) with mortar: often with up: to point up a chimney

intransitive verb

to direct one's finger or the like (at or to something)
to call attention or allude (to something); hint (at something)
to aim or be directed (to or toward something); extend in a specified direction
to point game: said of a hunting dog
Naut. to sail close to the wind

Related Forms:

pointable adjective

See point in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A sharp or tapered end: the point of a knife; the point of the antenna.
An object having a sharp or tapered end: a stone projectile point.
A tapering extension of land projecting into water; a peninsula, cape, or promontory.
A mark formed by or as if by a sharp end.
A mark or dot used in printing or writing for punctuation, especially a period.
A decimal point.
Linguistics A vowel point.
One of the protruding marks used in certain methods of writing and printing for the blind.
Mathematics
a. A dimensionless geometric object having no properties except location.
b. An element in a geometrically described set.
a. A place or locality considered with regard to its position: connections to Chicago and points west.
b. A narrowly particularized and localized position or place; a spot: The troops halted at a point roughly 1,000 yards from the river.
A specified degree, condition, or limit, as in a scale or course: the melting point of a substance.
a. Any of the 32 equal divisions marked at the circumference of a mariner's compass card that indicate direction.
b. The interval of 11°15: between any two adjacent markings.
a. A distinct condition or degree: finally reached the point of exhaustion.
b. The interval of time immediately before a given occurrence; the verge: on the point of resignation; at the point of death.
A specific moment in time: At this point, we are ready to proceed.
An objective or purpose to be reached or achieved, or one that is worth reaching or achieving: What is the point of discussing this issue further?
The major idea or essential part of a concept or narrative: You have missed the whole point of the novel.
A significant, outstanding, or effective idea, argument, or suggestion: Your point is well taken.
A separate, distinguishing item or element; a detail: Diplomacy is certainly not one of his strong points. Your weak point is your constant need for approval.
A quality or characteristic that is important or distinctive, especially a standard characteristic used to judge an animal.
A single unit, as in counting, rating, or measuring.
21.
a. A unit of academic credit usually equal to one hour of class work per week during one semester.
b. A numerical unit of academic achievement equal to a letter grade.
22. Sports & Games A unit of scoring or counting.
23.
a. A unit equal to one dollar, used to quote or state variations in the current prices of stocks or commodities.
b. A unit equal to one percent, used to quote or state interest rates or shares in gross profits.
24. One percent of the total principal of a loan, paid up front to the lender and considered separately from the interest.
25. Music A phrase, such as a fugue subject, in contrapuntal music.
26. Printing A unit of type size equal to 0.01384 inch, or approximately ¹/₇₂ of an inch.
27. A jeweler's unit of weight equal to 2 milligrams or 0.01 carat.
28.
a. The act or an instance of pointing.
b. The stiff and attentive stance taken by a hunting dog.
29.
a. Needlepoint.
b. See bobbin lace.
30.
a. A reconnaissance or patrol unit that moves ahead of an advance party or guard, or that follows a rear guard.
b. The position occupied by such a unit or guard: A team of Rangers were walking point at the outset of the operation.
31. Sports Either of two positions in ice hockey just inside the offensive zone near the boards, usually assumed by defenders attempting to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
32. Basketball A position in the forecourt beyond the top of the key, usually taken by the point guard.
33.
a. An electrical contact, especially one in the distributor of an automobile engine.
b. Chiefly British An electrical socket or outlet.
34. points The extremities of an animal, such as a horse or dog.
35.
a. A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.
b. The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.
36. A ribbon or cord with a metal tag at the end, used to fasten clothing in the 16th and 17th centuries.

verb point·ed, point·ing, points

verb, transitive

To direct or aim: point a weapon. See Synonyms at aim.
To bring (something) to notice: pointed out an error in their reasoning.
To indicate the position or direction of: pointed out the oldest buildings on the skyline.
To sharpen (a pencil, for example); provide with a point.
To separate with decimal points: pointing off the hundredths place in a column of figures.
To mark (text) with points; punctuate.
Linguistics To mark (a consonant) with a vowel point.
To give emphasis to; stress: comments that simply point up flawed reasoning.
To indicate the presence and position of (game) by standing immobile and directing the muzzle toward it. Used of a hunting dog.
To fill and finish the joints of (masonry) with cement or mortar.

verb, intransitive

To direct attention or indicate position with or as if with the finger.
To turn the mind or thought in a particular direction or to a particular conclusion: All indications point to an early spring.
To be turned or faced in a given direction; aim.
To indicate the presence and position of game. Used of a hunting dog.
Nautical To sail close to the wind.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , partly from Old French point, prick, mark, moment (from Vulgar Latin *punctum, from Latin pūnctum, from neuter past participle of pungere, to prick)

Origin: and partly from Old French pointe, sharp end (from Vulgar Latin *puncta, from Latin pūncta, from feminine past participle of pungere, to prick; see peuk- in Indo-European roots)

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