point man
Americannoun
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the lead soldier of an infantry patrol on combat operations.
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a person who serves in the forefront, as of an economic or political issue.
noun
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military a soldier who walks at the front of an infantry patrol in combat
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the leader or spokesperson of a campaign or organization
Etymology
Origin of point man
An Americanism dating back to 1900–05
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And President Donald Trump’s financial-market point man, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, is likely to do whatever it takes to prevent that scenario.
From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026
In 2020, Lewis relinquished his longtime role as the House’s election policy point man after pleading guilty to charges related to using campaign funds for personal expenses, including rent.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025
Witkoff, who has been the administration’s point man on negotiations with the Kremlin, helped prepare Driscoll for the talks in Kyiv, one of the officials said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025
Bowman was a “tunnel rat” sent as point man into the Viet Cong’s network of tunnels.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025
Noting William’s rapport with his British counterparts, the Army made him a point man in U.S.–U.K. intelligence relations, twice sending him on long trips overseas.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
