point
♦♦♦ point /p'ɔɪnt/ (points pointing pointed)
1 [N-COUNT]
You use point to refer to something that someone has said or written.
We disagree with every point Mr Blunkett makes...
The following tale will clearly illustrate this point.
2 [N-SING] a N, poss N
If you say that someone has a point, or if you take their point, you mean that you accept that what they have said is important and should be considered.
`If he'd already killed once, surely he'd have killed Sarah?' She had a point there...
3 [N-SING] the N
The point of what you are saying or discussing is the most important part that provides a reason or explanation for the rest.
`Did I ask you to talk to me?'--`That's not the point.'...
The American Congress and media mostly missed the point about all this.
4 [N-SING] usu N of/in n/-ing
If you ask what the point of something is, or say that there is no point in it, you are indicating that a particular action has no purpose or would not be useful.
What was the point of thinking about him?...
There was no point in staying any longer.
5 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A point is a detail, aspect, or quality of something or someone.
The most interesting point about the village was its religion...
Science was never my strong point at school.
6 [N-COUNT]
A point is a particular place or position where something happens.
The pain originated from a point in his right thigh.
7 [N-SING] with supp, oft at N
You use point to refer to a particular time, or to a particular stage in the development of something.
We're all going to die at some point...
At this point Diana arrived...
It got to the point where he had to leave.
8 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
The point of something such as a pin, needle, or knife is the thin, sharp end of it.
9
In spoken English, you use point to refer to the dot or mark in a decimal number that separates the whole numbers from the fractions.
Inflation at nine point four percent is the worst for eight years.
10 [N-COUNT]
In some sports, competitions, and games, a point is one of the single marks that are added together to give the total score.
They lost the 1977 World Cup final to Australia by a single point...
11 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
The points of the compass are directions such as North, South, East, and West.
Sightseers arrived from all points of the compass.
12 [N-PLURAL]
On a railway track, the points are the levers and rails at a place where two tracks join or separate. The points enable a train to move from one track to another. (BRIT; in AM, use switches)
...the rattle of the wheels across the points.
13 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A point is an electric socket. (BRIT)
...too far away from the nearest electrical point.
14 [VERB] V at n, V to n
If you point at a person or thing, you hold out your finger towards them in order to make someone notice them.
I pointed at the boy sitting nearest me...
He pointed to a chair, signalling for her to sit.
15 [VERB] V n at n, V n at n
If you point something at someone, you aim the tip or end of it towards them.
David Khan pointed his finger at Mary...
A man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger.
16 [VERB] V prep/adv, V prep/adv
If something points to a place or points in a particular direction, it shows where that place is or it faces in that direction.
An arrow pointed to the toilets...
You can go anywhere and still the compass points north or south...
17 [VERB] V to n
If something points to a particular situation, it suggests that the situation exists or is likely to occur.
Private polls and embassy reports pointed to a no vote.
18 [VERB] V to n
If you point to something that has happened or that is happening, you are using it as proof that a particular situation exists.
George Fodor points to other weaknesses in the way the campaign has progressed...
19 [VERB] V n
When builders point a wall, they put a substance such as cement into the gaps between the bricks or stones in order to make the wall stronger and seal it.
20
see also pointed, breaking point, point of sale, point of sale, point of view,
power point, sticking point,
21 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that something is beside the point, you mean that it is not relevant to the subject that you are discussing.
Brian didn't like it, but that was beside the point.
= irrelevant
22 [PHRASE] V inflects
When someone comes to the point or gets to the point, they start talking about the thing that is most important to them.
Was she ever going to get to the point?
23 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make your point or prove your point, you prove that something is true, either by arguing about it or by your actions or behaviour.
I think you've made your point, dear...
The tie-break proved the point.
24 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR -ing
If you make a point of doing something, you do it in a very deliberate or obvious way.
She made a point of spending as much time as possible away from Osborne House.
25 [PHRASE] v-link PHR n/-ing
If you are on the point of doing something, you are about to do it.
He was on the point of saying something when the phone rang...
She looked on the point of tears.
26 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
Something that is to the point is relevant to the subject that you are discussing, or expressed neatly without wasting words or time.
The description which he had been given was brief and to the point.
27 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
If you say that something is true up to a point, you mean that it is partly but not completely true.
`Was she good?'--`Mmm. Up to a point.'
28
a case in point: see case
in point of fact: see fact
to point the finger at someone: see finger
a sore point: see soreba|sis point (basis points)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
In finance, a basis point is one hundredth of a per cent (01%). (BUSINESS)boil|ing point
also boiling-point
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which it starts to change into steam or vapour. For example, the boiling point of water is 100° centigrade.
The boiling point of water is 373 K...
Heat the cream to boiling point and pour three quarters of it over the chocolate.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
If a situation reaches boiling point, the people involved have become so angry that they can no longer remain calm and in control of themselves.
The situation is rapidly reaching boiling point, and the army has been put on stand-by...break-even point
[N-SING]
When a company reaches break-even point, the money it makes from the sale of goods or services is just enough to cover the cost of supplying those goods or services, but not enough to make a profit. (BUSINESS)
`Terminator 2' finally made $200 million, which was considered to be the break-even point for the picture.break|ing point
[N-UNCOUNT] also the/a N
If something or someone has reached breaking point, they have so many problems or difficulties that they can no longer cope with them, and may soon collapse or be unable to continue.
The report on the riot exposed a prison system stretched to breaking point...brownie point (brownie points)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
If someone does something to score brownie points, they do it because they think they will be praised for it.
They're just trying to score brownie points with politicians.bul|let point (bullet points)
[N-COUNT]
A bullet point is one of a series of important items for discussion or action in a document, usually marked by a square or round symbol.
Use bold type for headings and bullet points for noteworthy achievements.car|di|nal point (cardinal points)
[N-COUNT]
The cardinal points are the four main points of the compass, north, south, east, and west.com|pass point (compass points)
[N-COUNT]
A compass point is one of the 32 marks on the dial of a compass that show direction, for example north, south, east, and west.deci|mal point (decimal points)
[N-COUNT]
A decimal point is the dot in front of a decimal fraction.fo|cal point (focal points)
[N-COUNT]
The focal point of something is the thing that people concentrate on or pay most attention to.
...the focal point for the town's many visitors-the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.freez|ing point (freezing points)
also freezing-point
1 [N-UNCOUNT] usu above/below/to N
Freezing point is 0° Celsius, the temperature at which water freezes. Freezing point is often used when talking about the weather.
The temperature remained below freezing point throughout the day.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with poss
The freezing point of a particular substance is the temperature at which it freezes.high point (high points)
[N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft N of/in n
The high point of an event or period of time is the most exciting or enjoyable part of it.
The high point of this trip was a day at the races in Balgriffin.
= highlightjumping-off point
[N-SING]
A jumping-off point or a jumping-off place is a place, situation, or occasion which you use as the starting point for something.
Lectoure is a bustling market town and the best jumping-off point for a first visit to Le Gers.match point (match points)
[N-VAR]
In a game of tennis, match point is the situation when the player who is in the lead can win the whole match if they win the next point.melt|ing point (melting points)
[N-COUNT] oft with poss
The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it melts when you heat it.point of or|der (points of order)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
In a formal debate, a point of order is an official complaint that someone makes because the rules about how the debate is meant to be organized have been broken. (FORMAL)
A point of order was raised in parliament by Mr Ben Morris...point of ref|er|ence (points of reference)
[N-COUNT]
A point of reference is something which you use to help you understand a situation or communicate with someone.
Do we still have any fixed point of reference in the teaching of English?point of sale (points of sale)
1 [N-COUNT]
The point of sale is the place in a shop where a product is passed from the seller to the customer. The abbreviation POS is also used. (BUSINESS)
2 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Point of sale is used to describe things which occur or are located or used at the place where you buy something. The abbreviation POS is also used. (BUSINESS)
...point-of-sale advertising.♦ point of view (points of view)
1 [N-COUNT] oft with poss
You can refer to the opinions or attitudes that you have about something as your point of view.
Thanks for your point of view, John...
Try to look at this from my point of view.
= viewpoint
2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, usu from N with poss
If you consider something from a particular point of view, you are using one aspect of a situation in order to judge that situation.
Do you think that, from the point of view of results, this exercise was worth the cost?...point out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you point out an object or place, you make people look at it or show them where it is.
They kept standing up to take pictures and point things out to each other...
They'd already driven along the wharf so that she could point out her father's boat.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P that, V P n (not pron)
If you point out a fact or mistake, you tell someone about it or draw their attention to it.
I should point out that these estimates cover just the hospital expenditures...
We all too easily point out our mothers' failings.pow|er point (power points)
[N-COUNT]
A power point is a place in a wall where you can connect electrical equipment to the electricity supply. (BRIT; in AM, usually use outlet, wall socket)price point (price points)
[N-COUNT]
The price point of a product is the price that it sells for. (BUSINESS)
No price point exists for the machine yet...
The big companies dominate the lower price points.ral|ly|ing point (rallying points)
[N-COUNT]
A rallying point is a place, event, or person that people are attracted to as a symbol of a political group or ideal.
Students used the death of political activists as a rallying point for anti-government protests.
= focussell|ing point (selling points)
[N-COUNT]
A selling point is a desirable quality or feature that something has which makes it likely that people will want to buy it. (BUSINESS)start|ing point (starting points)
also starting-point
1 [N-COUNT] oft N for n
Something that is a starting point for a discussion or process can be used to begin it or act as a basis for it.
These proposals represent a realistic starting point for negotiation...
= basis
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
When you make a journey, your starting point is the place from which you start.
They had already walked a couple of miles or more from their starting point.stick|ing point (sticking points)
also sticking-point
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A sticking point in a discussion or series of negotiations is a point on which the people involved cannot agree and which may delay or stop the talks. A sticking point is also one aspect of a problem which you have trouble dealing with.
The main sticking point was the question of taxes.talk|ing point (talking points)
[N-COUNT]
A talking point is an interesting subject for discussion or argument.
It's bound to be the main talking point during discussions between the Prime Minister and the President.turn|ing point (turning points)
[N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N in/for n
A turning point is a time at which an important change takes place which affects the future of a person or thing.
The vote yesterday appears to mark something of a turning point in the war...van|ish|ing point (vanishing points)
1 [N-COUNT] usu sing
The vanishing point is the point in the distance where parallel lines seem to meet.
The highway stretched out ahead of me until it narrowed to a vanishing point some miles away.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
If you say that something has reached vanishing point, you mean it has become very small or unimportant.
By 1973, this gap had narrowed almost to vanishing point...van|tage point /v'ɑːntɪdʒ pɔɪnt, v'ænt-/ (vantage points)
1 [N-COUNT]
A vantage point is a place from which you can see a lot of things.
From a concealed vantage point, he saw a car arrive...
= viewpoint
2 [N-COUNT] oft with poss
If you view a situation from a particular vantage point, you have a clear understanding of it because of the particular period of time you are in.
From today's vantage point, the 1987 crash seems just a blip in the upward progress of the market...
= viewpoint
1 [N-COUNT]
You use point to refer to something that someone has said or written.
We disagree with every point Mr Blunkett makes...
The following tale will clearly illustrate this point.
2 [N-SING] a N, poss N
If you say that someone has a point, or if you take their point, you mean that you accept that what they have said is important and should be considered.
`If he'd already killed once, surely he'd have killed Sarah?' She had a point there...
3 [N-SING] the N
The point of what you are saying or discussing is the most important part that provides a reason or explanation for the rest.
`Did I ask you to talk to me?'--`That's not the point.'...
The American Congress and media mostly missed the point about all this.
4 [N-SING] usu N of/in n/-ing
If you ask what the point of something is, or say that there is no point in it, you are indicating that a particular action has no purpose or would not be useful.
What was the point of thinking about him?...
There was no point in staying any longer.
5 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A point is a detail, aspect, or quality of something or someone.
The most interesting point about the village was its religion...
Science was never my strong point at school.
6 [N-COUNT]
A point is a particular place or position where something happens.
The pain originated from a point in his right thigh.
7 [N-SING] with supp, oft at N
You use point to refer to a particular time, or to a particular stage in the development of something.
We're all going to die at some point...
At this point Diana arrived...
It got to the point where he had to leave.
8 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
The point of something such as a pin, needle, or knife is the thin, sharp end of it.
9
In spoken English, you use point to refer to the dot or mark in a decimal number that separates the whole numbers from the fractions.
Inflation at nine point four percent is the worst for eight years.
10 [N-COUNT]
In some sports, competitions, and games, a point is one of the single marks that are added together to give the total score.
They lost the 1977 World Cup final to Australia by a single point...
11 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
The points of the compass are directions such as North, South, East, and West.
Sightseers arrived from all points of the compass.
12 [N-PLURAL]
On a railway track, the points are the levers and rails at a place where two tracks join or separate. The points enable a train to move from one track to another. (BRIT; in AM, use switches)
...the rattle of the wheels across the points.
13 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A point is an electric socket. (BRIT)
...too far away from the nearest electrical point.
14 [VERB] V at n, V to n
If you point at a person or thing, you hold out your finger towards them in order to make someone notice them.
I pointed at the boy sitting nearest me...
He pointed to a chair, signalling for her to sit.
15 [VERB] V n at n, V n at n
If you point something at someone, you aim the tip or end of it towards them.
David Khan pointed his finger at Mary...
A man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger.
16 [VERB] V prep/adv, V prep/adv
If something points to a place or points in a particular direction, it shows where that place is or it faces in that direction.
An arrow pointed to the toilets...
You can go anywhere and still the compass points north or south...
17 [VERB] V to n
If something points to a particular situation, it suggests that the situation exists or is likely to occur.
Private polls and embassy reports pointed to a no vote.
18 [VERB] V to n
If you point to something that has happened or that is happening, you are using it as proof that a particular situation exists.
George Fodor points to other weaknesses in the way the campaign has progressed...
19 [VERB] V n
When builders point a wall, they put a substance such as cement into the gaps between the bricks or stones in order to make the wall stronger and seal it.
20
see also pointed, breaking point, point of sale, point of sale, point of view,
power point, sticking point,
21 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that something is beside the point, you mean that it is not relevant to the subject that you are discussing.
Brian didn't like it, but that was beside the point.
= irrelevant
22 [PHRASE] V inflects
When someone comes to the point or gets to the point, they start talking about the thing that is most important to them.
Was she ever going to get to the point?
23 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make your point or prove your point, you prove that something is true, either by arguing about it or by your actions or behaviour.
I think you've made your point, dear...
The tie-break proved the point.
24 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR -ing
If you make a point of doing something, you do it in a very deliberate or obvious way.
She made a point of spending as much time as possible away from Osborne House.
25 [PHRASE] v-link PHR n/-ing
If you are on the point of doing something, you are about to do it.
He was on the point of saying something when the phone rang...
She looked on the point of tears.
26 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
Something that is to the point is relevant to the subject that you are discussing, or expressed neatly without wasting words or time.
The description which he had been given was brief and to the point.
27 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
If you say that something is true up to a point, you mean that it is partly but not completely true.
`Was she good?'--`Mmm. Up to a point.'
28
a case in point: see case
in point of fact: see fact
to point the finger at someone: see finger
a sore point: see soreba|sis point (basis points)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
In finance, a basis point is one hundredth of a per cent (01%). (BUSINESS)boil|ing point
also boiling-point
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which it starts to change into steam or vapour. For example, the boiling point of water is 100° centigrade.
The boiling point of water is 373 K...
Heat the cream to boiling point and pour three quarters of it over the chocolate.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
If a situation reaches boiling point, the people involved have become so angry that they can no longer remain calm and in control of themselves.
The situation is rapidly reaching boiling point, and the army has been put on stand-by...break-even point
[N-SING]
When a company reaches break-even point, the money it makes from the sale of goods or services is just enough to cover the cost of supplying those goods or services, but not enough to make a profit. (BUSINESS)
`Terminator 2' finally made $200 million, which was considered to be the break-even point for the picture.break|ing point
[N-UNCOUNT] also the/a N
If something or someone has reached breaking point, they have so many problems or difficulties that they can no longer cope with them, and may soon collapse or be unable to continue.
The report on the riot exposed a prison system stretched to breaking point...brownie point (brownie points)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
If someone does something to score brownie points, they do it because they think they will be praised for it.
They're just trying to score brownie points with politicians.bul|let point (bullet points)
[N-COUNT]
A bullet point is one of a series of important items for discussion or action in a document, usually marked by a square or round symbol.
Use bold type for headings and bullet points for noteworthy achievements.car|di|nal point (cardinal points)
[N-COUNT]
The cardinal points are the four main points of the compass, north, south, east, and west.com|pass point (compass points)
[N-COUNT]
A compass point is one of the 32 marks on the dial of a compass that show direction, for example north, south, east, and west.deci|mal point (decimal points)
[N-COUNT]
A decimal point is the dot in front of a decimal fraction.fo|cal point (focal points)
[N-COUNT]
The focal point of something is the thing that people concentrate on or pay most attention to.
...the focal point for the town's many visitors-the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.freez|ing point (freezing points)
also freezing-point
1 [N-UNCOUNT] usu above/below/to N
Freezing point is 0° Celsius, the temperature at which water freezes. Freezing point is often used when talking about the weather.
The temperature remained below freezing point throughout the day.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with poss
The freezing point of a particular substance is the temperature at which it freezes.high point (high points)
[N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft N of/in n
The high point of an event or period of time is the most exciting or enjoyable part of it.
The high point of this trip was a day at the races in Balgriffin.
= highlightjumping-off point
[N-SING]
A jumping-off point or a jumping-off place is a place, situation, or occasion which you use as the starting point for something.
Lectoure is a bustling market town and the best jumping-off point for a first visit to Le Gers.match point (match points)
[N-VAR]
In a game of tennis, match point is the situation when the player who is in the lead can win the whole match if they win the next point.melt|ing point (melting points)
[N-COUNT] oft with poss
The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it melts when you heat it.point of or|der (points of order)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
In a formal debate, a point of order is an official complaint that someone makes because the rules about how the debate is meant to be organized have been broken. (FORMAL)
A point of order was raised in parliament by Mr Ben Morris...point of ref|er|ence (points of reference)
[N-COUNT]
A point of reference is something which you use to help you understand a situation or communicate with someone.
Do we still have any fixed point of reference in the teaching of English?point of sale (points of sale)
1 [N-COUNT]
The point of sale is the place in a shop where a product is passed from the seller to the customer. The abbreviation POS is also used. (BUSINESS)
2 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Point of sale is used to describe things which occur or are located or used at the place where you buy something. The abbreviation POS is also used. (BUSINESS)
...point-of-sale advertising.♦ point of view (points of view)
1 [N-COUNT] oft with poss
You can refer to the opinions or attitudes that you have about something as your point of view.
Thanks for your point of view, John...
Try to look at this from my point of view.
= viewpoint
2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, usu from N with poss
If you consider something from a particular point of view, you are using one aspect of a situation in order to judge that situation.
Do you think that, from the point of view of results, this exercise was worth the cost?...point out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you point out an object or place, you make people look at it or show them where it is.
They kept standing up to take pictures and point things out to each other...
They'd already driven along the wharf so that she could point out her father's boat.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P that, V P n (not pron)
If you point out a fact or mistake, you tell someone about it or draw their attention to it.
I should point out that these estimates cover just the hospital expenditures...
We all too easily point out our mothers' failings.pow|er point (power points)
[N-COUNT]
A power point is a place in a wall where you can connect electrical equipment to the electricity supply. (BRIT; in AM, usually use outlet, wall socket)price point (price points)
[N-COUNT]
The price point of a product is the price that it sells for. (BUSINESS)
No price point exists for the machine yet...
The big companies dominate the lower price points.ral|ly|ing point (rallying points)
[N-COUNT]
A rallying point is a place, event, or person that people are attracted to as a symbol of a political group or ideal.
Students used the death of political activists as a rallying point for anti-government protests.
= focussell|ing point (selling points)
[N-COUNT]
A selling point is a desirable quality or feature that something has which makes it likely that people will want to buy it. (BUSINESS)start|ing point (starting points)
also starting-point
1 [N-COUNT] oft N for n
Something that is a starting point for a discussion or process can be used to begin it or act as a basis for it.
These proposals represent a realistic starting point for negotiation...
= basis
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
When you make a journey, your starting point is the place from which you start.
They had already walked a couple of miles or more from their starting point.stick|ing point (sticking points)
also sticking-point
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A sticking point in a discussion or series of negotiations is a point on which the people involved cannot agree and which may delay or stop the talks. A sticking point is also one aspect of a problem which you have trouble dealing with.
The main sticking point was the question of taxes.talk|ing point (talking points)
[N-COUNT]
A talking point is an interesting subject for discussion or argument.
It's bound to be the main talking point during discussions between the Prime Minister and the President.turn|ing point (turning points)
[N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N in/for n
A turning point is a time at which an important change takes place which affects the future of a person or thing.
The vote yesterday appears to mark something of a turning point in the war...van|ish|ing point (vanishing points)
1 [N-COUNT] usu sing
The vanishing point is the point in the distance where parallel lines seem to meet.
The highway stretched out ahead of me until it narrowed to a vanishing point some miles away.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
If you say that something has reached vanishing point, you mean it has become very small or unimportant.
By 1973, this gap had narrowed almost to vanishing point...van|tage point /v'ɑːntɪdʒ pɔɪnt, v'ænt-/ (vantage points)
1 [N-COUNT]
A vantage point is a place from which you can see a lot of things.
From a concealed vantage point, he saw a car arrive...
= viewpoint
2 [N-COUNT] oft with poss
If you view a situation from a particular vantage point, you have a clear understanding of it because of the particular period of time you are in.
From today's vantage point, the 1987 crash seems just a blip in the upward progress of the market...
= viewpoint