point */*/*/

I UK [pɔɪnt] / US noun
Word forms "point":
singular point plural points

1) [countable] an idea or opinion among a number of others

I disagree with you on a couple of important points.

point by point (= looking at each part separately):

Let's go over the plan point by point.

a) [singular] the thing that you are trying to say

My point is that we're spending too much time on details and forgetting the big issues.

What's your point?

b) [singular] the reason for something

point of:

What is the point of your visit?

see/get the point (= understand the reason):

I'm sorry – I just don't see the point of doing this.

not any/no point:

I see no point in discussing this any further.

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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with point
▪  crucial, focal, fundamental, important, key, main Verbs frequently used with point as the object ▪  illustrate, labour, make, prove, raise

2) [countable] an aspect or feature

someone's strong/weak points:

Subtlety is not one of his strong points.

the finer points (= the details):

He spent his spare time coaching youngsters on the finer points of soccer.

it has its points (= it has some good qualities):

I complain about working different hours from everyone else, but it has its points.

3)

a) [countable] a particular moment in time

at this/that point:

At that point we all got up and walked out of the room.

at this/that point in time:

At this point in time we can't afford to hire any more people.

b) [singular] a particular stage in a process

the freezing/boiling point of water

reach a point:

We're just trying to reach a point where both sides will sit down together and talk.

to the point of:

His behaviour was strange to the point of being considered unacceptable by his employers.

4)

a) [countable] a particular place

We'll meet at a point halfway between here and your hotel.

a point where three different countries meet

b) a position on a drawing or map

Lines C and D intersect at point E.

5)

a) [countable] a unit for counting the score in a game or sport

Our team is two points behind.

They won on points (= by getting the most points).

b) a unit of measurement

Interest rates fell by 2 percentage points.

6) [countable] a very small area of light or colour

His eyes narrowed to glittering points of light.

7) [countable] the sharp end of something

the point of the knife/sword/scissors

8) [countable] a piece of land that stretches out into an area of water

9) [countable] maths the word for a decimal point, used when saying a number, for example 6.3 is said as "six point three"

10) [countable] British a power point

11) [countable] one of the 32 marks on a compass that show direction

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come/get to the point — to stop talking about unimportant details and say what is most important

We haven't got all day, so please get to the point.

I see/take your point= point taken — used for saying that you understand what someone is trying to say, especially when you disagree with it

I see your point, but I don't think there's anything we can do at the moment.

make/proveyour/a point — to prove that you are right about something

Okay, you've made your point, there's no need to keep going on about it.

- at some point

- make a point of doing something

- miss the point

- on the point of doing something

- the point of no return

- to the point

- up to a point

- you've got a point

See:

beside, fine I, point of order, point of presence, point of sale, point of view, points, sore I

II UK [pɔɪnt] / US verb
Word forms "point":
present tense I/you/we/they point he/she/it points present participle pointing past tense pointed past participle pointed

1) [intransitive/transitive] to show something by holding out your finger or a long thin object

Don't point. They'll know we're looking at them.

He pointed his stick in the direction of the path.

point at:

She pointed at the ice cream that she wanted.

point to:

He pointed to the dog as it ran towards them.

2) [intransitive] to show a particular direction or place, usually using a sign or symbol

The arrow pointed left towards the exit door.

Is the little hand pointing to 3 or 4?

3) [transitive] to aim an object at someone or something

All you have to do is point the camera and shoot.

point something at/towards someone/something:

He pointed his rifle at the deer and pulled the trigger.

4)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to show someone the direction in which they should go

Could you point me in the direction of the lobby?

b) to show someone what they should do

The results of the study will point towards areas for further research.

a great thinker who was pointing the way to the future

5) [intransitive/transitive] to stretch your toes as if you were trying to make them form a straight line with your leg

6) [transitive] to repair a wall by putting new cement or mortar between the stones or bricks

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point the/a finger (at someone) — to accuse someone or suggest that they are guilty of something bad

When criticized, he was quick to point the finger at his co-workers.

Phrasal verbs:

- point out

- point to

- point up