pointer

[poin-ter]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pointer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that points.

a long, tapering stick used by teachers, lecturers, etc., in pointing things out on a map, blackboard, or the like.

the hand on a watch dial, clock face, scale, etc.

Military. the member of an artillery crew who aims the weapon.

one of a breed of short-haired hunting dogs trained to point game.

a piece of advice, especially on how to succeed in a specific area: The food expert gave some good pointers on making better salads.

Computers.

an identifier giving the location in storage of something of interest, as a data item, table, or subroutine.
cursor(def 1).

Pointers, Astronomy. the two outer stars of the Big Dipper that lie on a line that passes very near Polaris and are used for finding it.

Nearby words

Origin of pointer

First recorded in 1490–1500; point + -er¹

SYNONYMS FOR pointer

6. tip, hint, suggestion, caution.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pointer ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pointer

Turn him belly-up and stroke him to sleep with your pointer finger.
Aubrey Plaza’s Great Disconnect|Aubrey Plaza|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pointer Brand, a 100-year-old American farmwear staple, has recently become popular among international trendsetting men.
Farmwear Label, Pointer Brand, Hits High Fashion Note|Misty White Sidell|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pointer, founded in Bristol, Tennessee, by Landon Clayton King, was never intended to draw fashionable chatter.
Farmwear Label, Pointer Brand, Hits High Fashion Note|Misty White Sidell|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In Europe, Pointer is stocked in stores with names like Americana and Yankee Doodle.
Farmwear Label, Pointer Brand, Hits High Fashion Note|Misty White Sidell|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

When Tony takes over Danny's body, his voice begins to croak and he shakes his pointer finger for emphasis.
Imaginary Friends in Movies|Marlow Stern|May 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Before our little party had taken six steps into the room, Zoe stood like a pointer; and Fanny backed.
The Woman-Hater|Charles Reade
The degree of screw thrust was indicated in pounds by the pointer g.
Artificial and Natural Flight|Hiram S. Maxim
The hand or pointer on a peculiar dial was moving violently to and fro.
Through Space to Mars|Roy Rockwood
The man then goes away inflated with the idea that he has a pointer from Mr. Gould which will materially affect values.
Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor (Poems and Yarns)|Bill Nye
The wary scout lifted his head, sniffing into the darkness like a pointer dog.
Keith of the Border|Randall Parrish

British Dictionary definitions for pointer

pointer

noun

a person or thing that points

an indicator on a measuring instrument

a long rod or cane used by a lecturer to point to parts of a map, blackboard, etc

one of a breed of large swift smooth-coated dogs, usually white with black, liver, or lemon markings: when on shooting expeditions it points to the bird with its nose, body, and tail in a straight line

a helpful piece of information or advice

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for pointer

pointer

mid-14c., "a tiler" (early 13c. as a surname), agent noun from point (v.). From c.1500 as "maker of needlepoint lace." From 1570s as "thing that points;" meaning "dog that stands rigid in the presence of game, facing the quarry" is recorded from 1717. Meaning "item of advice" first recorded 1883.

pointer

noun

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Origin of pointer

Examples from the Web for pointer

pointer

noun

pointer