Illustration of pinnacle
- P pinnacle 1
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
pinnacled; pinnacling
ˈpi-ni-k(ə-)liŋ
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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
Examples of pinnacle in a Sentence
Noun
a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success
Recent Examples on the Web
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
And for those chosen, the work at the White House for a year or two is often a huge opportunity to dive into the pinnacle of foreign policy management.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2023
One father, two sons, all coaching their teams to pinnacle moments of their seasons.
—Matt Goul, cleveland, 19 Mar. 2021
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Noun
Despite a tumultuous 2024, when the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton CEO lost over $50 billion and dropped from the pinnacle of the world's wealthiest, Arnault's fortunes have soared in 2025, adding approximately $22.9 billion to his net worth so far this year, according to the index.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
And for those chosen, the work at the White House for a year or two is often a huge opportunity to dive into the pinnacle of foreign policy management.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
Mark Margolis, the longtime character actor whose career pinnacled with unforgettable arcs on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has died at the age of 83.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2023
One father, two sons, all coaching their teams to pinnacle moments of their seasons.
—Matt Goul, cleveland, 19 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for pinnacle
Dictionary Entries Near pinnacle
Cite this Entry
“Pinnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinnacle. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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