Dictionary
1pinnacle
noun pin·na·cle \ˈpi-ni-kəl\
: a high mountain top
: the best or most important part of something : the point of greatest success or achievement
: a tower on the roof of a building that comes to a narrow point at the top
Full Definition of PINNACLE
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
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Origin of PINNACLE
Middle English pinacle, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pinnaculum small wing, gable, from Latin pinna wing, battlement
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to PINNACLE
Synonym Discussion of PINNACLE
summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable <at the summit of the Victorian social scene>. peak suggests the highest among other high points <an artist working at the peak of her powers>. pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height <the pinnacle of worldly success>. climax implies the highest point in an ascending series <the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions>. apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge <the apex of Dutch culture>. acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing <a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty>. culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective <the culmination of years of effort>.
Other Architecture Terms
2pinnacle
verb
pinnacledpinnacling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of PINNACLE
transitive verb
1
: to surmount with a pinnacle
2
: to raise or rear on a pinnacle
First Known Use of PINNACLE
14th century
PINNACLE Defined for Kids
pinnacle
noun pin·na·cle \ˈpi-nə-kəl\
Definition of PINNACLE for Kids
1
: the peak of a mountain
2
: the highest point of development or achievement <Winning the award was the pinnacle of her career.>
3
: a slender tower generally coming to a narrow point at the top
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