pinnacle

American  

[pin-uh-kuhl] / ˈpɪn ə kəl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

pinnacled, pinnacling

1. to place on or as on a pinnacle.

2. to form a pinnacle on; crown.

pinnacle British  

/ 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

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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

Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of pinnacle

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

Example Sentences

"But for him to achieve not just one, but two world records, it's probably the pinnacle moment. How do you even beat that in life?"

From BBC

Women, who influence men more than we are aware, historically held the pinnacle of a community’s religious influence outside the church’s walls.

From The Wall Street Journal

For some, tuning into The Traitors has become the "pinnacle" of their week.

From BBC

It’s also a stark reminder of how many false starts there have been on the Patriots’ bumpy road to replacing the greatest quarterback of all time and returning to the pinnacle of the sport.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Every kid wants to make it to the pinnacle of the sport, and that’s where we are right now.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apex
• culmination
• greatest
• height
• peak