point man

American  

noun

1. the lead soldier of an infantry patrol on combat operations.

2. a person who serves in the forefront, as of an economic or political issue.

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point man British  

noun

1. military a soldier who walks at the front of an infantry patrol in combat

2. the leader or spokesperson of a campaign or organization

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Etymology

Origin of point man

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

Larijani had served as parliamentary speaker for 12 years and became the point man on the nuclear negotiations as well as relations with allies such as China and Russia.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

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

Powell was later ashamed of being the point man for that disastrous deception.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 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

Actually a quartet of them, although the other three stood back, allowing the one in the royal blue to be the point man.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman