pinnacle

[pin-uh-kuhl]

noun

1. a lofty peak.

2. the highest or culminating point, as of success, power, fame, etc..

   the pinnacle of one's career.

   Synonyms: zenith, summit, peak, acme, apex
   Antonyms: nadir

3. any pointed, towering part or formation, as of rock.

   Synonyms: needle

4. Architecture.,  a relatively small, upright structure, commonly terminating in a gable, a pyramid, or a cone, rising above the roof or coping of a building, or capping a tower, buttress, or other projecting architectural member.

verb (used with object)

pinnacled, pinnacling 

1. to place on or as on a pinnacle.

2. to form a pinnacle on; crown.

pinnacle

/ ˈpɪnəkəl /

noun

1. the highest point or level, esp of fame, success, etc

2. a towering peak, as of a mountain

3. a slender upright structure in the form of a cone, pyramid, or spire on the top of a buttress, gable, or tower

verb

1. to set on or as if on a pinnacle

2. to furnish with a pinnacle or pinnacles

3. to crown with a pinnacle

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinnacle¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pinacle, from Middle French, from Late Latin pinnāculum “gable,” equivalent to Latin pinn(a) “raised part of a parapet,” literally, “wing, feather ” ( pinna ) + -āculum; tabernacle

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinnacle¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin pinnāculum a peak, from Latin pinna wing

Example Sentences

“They’re the pinnacle of what you want your franchise to be,” Allen said of the Chiefs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The true pinnacle of rugby is lifting that Webb Ellis Trophy - without a shadow of a doubt, that would be a dream," said Itoje.

Read more on BBC

It may be the pinnacle for any metal detectorist to find some treasure, but it does not automatically belong to them.

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The extreme degree of parity in the SEC comes as the conference is aiming to return to the pinnacle of the sport.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Euros was the pinnacle of my football career, seeing the dragon on the world stage for the first time will be a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• apex 
• culmination 
• greatest 
• height 
• peak 

When To Use

What does pinnacle mean?

A pinnacle is the highest point of something, especially success or fame. The pinnacle of a person’s career, for example, is the point at which they are most successful in their field.In a literal sense, a pinnacle is a tall peak of a mountain.In architecture, a pinnacle is an upright structure (usually some kind of cone, pyramid, or spire) that rises up from the roof of a building or caps a tower.Example: Reaching the pinnacle of Sagarmāthā was the pinnacle of my mountaineering career.