pointing

American  

[poin-ting] / ˈpɔɪn tɪŋ /

noun

1. (in masonry) mortar used as a finishing touch to brickwork.

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pointing British  

/ ˈpɔɪntɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of repairing or finishing joints in brickwork, masonry, etc, with mortar

2. 1. the insertion of marks to indicate the chanting of a psalm or the vowels in a Hebrew text

   2. the sequence of marks so inserted

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unpointing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pointing

First recorded in 1835–45; point + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

“It looks like plover habitat was minimally impacted, which is great news,” Travaglio said, pointing to the island’s eastern point, where beaches are closed during the spring and summer to protect the birds’ nesting area.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

"These additives suggest the link between diet and cognitive function extends beyond just missing out on foods known as healthy, pointing to mechanisms linked to the degree of food processing itself."

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

He suggested there could be common ground, pointing to "historical injustices" surrounding the British Steel pension scheme, which he said his party would "like to help you sort out".

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The ride went smoothly, with Wood pointing out that, while robo-taxi technology took longer to develop than she initially expected, it’s here: “As with many new innovations…they come slowly, then all at once.”

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Dad pointing out that Aunt J doesn’t get home on Mondays until after ten is pointless.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold