Boxing the tip of a person’s chin as a spot for a blow:Andrews caught him on the point
the prong of a deer’s antler:a fine buck of eight points
2a dot or other punctuation mark, in particular a full stop.
a decimal point:fifty-five point nine
a dot or small stroke used in Semitic languages to indicate vowels or distinguish particular consonants.
a very small dot or mark:the sky was studded with points of light
3a particular spot, place, or position in an area or on a map, object, or surface:turn left at the point where you see a sign to Applefordthe furthermost point of the gallerythe check-in point
a particular moment in time or stage in a process:from this point onwards the teacher was completely won over
(usually the point) the critical or decisive moment:when it came to the point he would probably do what was expected of him
(the point of) the verge or brink of (doing or being something):she was on the point of leaving
[usually with modifier] a stage or level at which a change of state occurs:local kennels are full to bursting point
[with modifier]British a socket in a wall for connecting a device to an electrical supply or communications network:a power point
(in geometry) something having position but not spatial extent, magnitude, dimension, or direction, for example the intersection of two lines.
4a single item or detail in an extended discussion, list, or text:the main points of the Edinburgh agreement
an argument or idea:he made the point that economic regulation involves controls on pricing
(usually the point) the significant or essential element of something being planned or discussed:it took her a long time to come to the point
[in singular, usually with negative or in questions] advantage or purpose that can be gained from doing something:there was no point in denying the truthwhat’s the point of having things I don’t need?
[mass noun] relevance or effectiveness.
a distinctive feature or characteristic, typically a good one, of a person or thing:he has his good points
5(in sports and games) a mark or unit of scoring awarded for success or performance:he kicked a penalty goal to put Bangor eight points ahead
a unit used in measuring value, achievement, or extent:the shares index was down seven points
an advantage or success in an argument or discussion:she smiled, assuming she had won her point
a unit of credit towards an award or benefit:points were allocated according to the inadequacy of the existing accommodation
a percentage of the profits from a film or recording offered to certain people involved in its production.
(point of) (in piquet) the longest suit in a player’s hand, containing a specified number of up to eight cards.
a unit of weight (2 mg) for diamonds.
a unit of varying value, used in quoting the price of stocks, bonds, or futures.
Bridge a value assigned to certain cards (4 points for an ace, 3 for a king, 2 for a queen, and 1 for a jack, sometimes with extra points for long or short suits) by a player in assessing the strength of their hand:in Acol it is permissible to open with only twelve points
6each of thirty-two directions marked at equal distances round a compass.
a direction towards the horizon corresponding to the direction marked on a compass.
the angular interval between two successive points of a compass, i.e. one eighth of a right angle (11° 15ʹ).
(points ——) unspecified places considered in terms of their direction from a specified place:they headed down Highway 401 to Ontario and points west
7a narrow piece of land jutting out into the sea:the boat came round the point [in names]:Blakeney Point
8 (usually points) British a junction of two railway lines, with a pair of linked tapering rails that can be moved laterally to allow a train to pass from one line to the other:the train gave a lurch as it passed over the points
9 Printing a unit of measurement for type sizes and spacing (in the UK and US 0.351 mm, in Europe 0.376 mm).
10 Cricket a fielding position on the off side near the batsman.
a fielder at the point position.
Ice Hockey either of two areas to the left and right of the net, just inside the blue line where it meets the boards.
11 (usually points) (in a motor vehicle) each of a set of electrical contacts in the distributor.
12a small leading party of an advanced guard of troops.
[mass noun] chiefly North American the position at the head of a column or wedge of troops:he walked point and I took the tail
13 (usually points) the extremities of an animal, typically a horse or cat, such as the face, paws, and tail of a Siamese cat:a pure white dog with black points
14 Hunting a spot to which a straight run is made.
a straight run:our fox made his point to Moorhill
15 (usually points) historical a tagged piece of ribbon or cord used for lacing a garment or attaching a hose to a doublet.
16a short piece of cord at the lower edge of a sail for tying up a reef.
17 [mass noun] the action or position of a dog in pointing:a bird dog on point
18 Music an important phrase or subject, especially in a contrapuntal composition.
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Universal
1 [no object] direct someone’s attention towards something by extending one’s finger or something held in one’s hand:the lads were nudging each other and pointing at me
[with adverbial] indicate a particular time, direction, or reading:a sign pointing left
[with object] direct or aim (something) at someone or something:he pointed the torch beam at the floor
[with adverbial of direction] face or be turned in a particular direction:two of its toes point forward and two point back
2 [no object, with adverbial] cite a fact or situation as evidence of something:he points to several factors supporting this conclusion
(point to) (of a fact or situation) indicate that (something) is likely to happen or be the case:everything pointed to an Eastern attack
[with object] give force or emphasis to (words or actions):he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to point a moral
3 [with object] chiefly Ballet extend (the toes) by tensing the foot and ankle so as to form a point:reach up with your arms and point your toes
4 [with object] fill the joints of (brickwork or masonry) with smoothly finished mortar:the bricks have been poorly pointed
5 [with object] give a sharp, tapered point to:he twisted and pointed his moustache
6 [with object] insert points in (written text of Semitic languages).
mark (Psalms) with signs for chanting.
7 [with object] (of a dog) indicate the presence of (game) by standing rigid while looking towards it.
at all points
in every part or respect:he turned to her, neat at all points, ready for anything
beside (or off) the point
irrelevant:Eliot’s arguments are wholly beside the point
case in point
an instance or example that illustrates what is being discussed:the ‘green revolution’ in agriculture is a good case in point
put across a proposition clearly and convincingly:he sat back, satisfied he had made his point
make a point of
make a special and noticeable effort to do (a specified thing):she made a point of taking a walk each day
on point
chiefly US apposite; relevant:his review of the album was right on point
point the finger
openly accuse someone or apportion blame:I hope that the committee will point the finger at the real culprits
the point of no return
the point in a journey or enterprise at which it becomes essential or more practical to continue to the end rather than turn back.
point of sailing
a sailing boat’s heading in relation to the wind:adjust the centre board according to point of sailing
score points
deliberately make oneself appear superior to someone else by making clever remarks:she was constantly trying to think of ways to score points off him
take someone's point
chiefly British accept the validity of someone’s idea or argument.
to the point
relevant:his evidence was brief and to the point
up to a point
to some extent but not completely.
win on points
Boxing win by scoring more points than one’s opponent (as awarded by the judges and/or the referee) rather than by a knockout.
point something out
direct someone’s gaze or attention towards, especially by extending one’s finger:I pointed out a conical heap of stones
[reporting verb] say something to make someone aware of a fact or circumstance: [with clause]:she pointed out that his van had been in the car park all day [with direct speech]:‘Most of the people round here are very poor,’ I pointed out
point something up
reveal the true nature or importance of something:he did so much to point up their plight in the 1960s
