Pinnacle
'pɪnək(ə)l
Definitions
2 meaningsThe highest point of development or achievement.
'pɪnək(ə)l
The most successful point
The singer reached the pinnacle of her career with her latest album.
💡 Simply: Imagine climbing a mountain. When you get to the very top, that's the pinnacle! It's like the best you can possibly do.
👶 For kids: The very, very top of something, like the highest point on a mountain or in a game.
More Examples
She was at the pinnacle of her profession when she received the award.
How It's Used
"The company reached the pinnacle of success after the launch of their new product."
"Winning the Olympic gold medal represented the pinnacle of her athletic career."
A high, pointed piece of rock or building.
'pɪnək(ə)l
A high, pointed piece of rock or building
The castle's towers were topped with intricate pinnacles.
💡 Simply: Imagine a pointy peak on top of a building or a mountain. That's a pinnacle!
👶 For kids: The very, very top of something pointy, like a tall, pointed piece on a church.
More Examples
The climber scaled the rocky pinnacle with great difficulty.
How It's Used
"The cathedral's spires and pinnacles reached towards the heavens."
"The climbers were awestruck by the jagged pinnacles that pierced the sky."
Idioms & expressions
at the pinnacle of
Reaching the highest point of something.
"He was at the pinnacle of his career when he decided to retire."
From Middle English *pynacle*, from Old French *pinacle* (meaning "small spire, peak"), from Latin *pinnaculum* (meaning "a small, high point"), derived from *pinna* (meaning "a feather, point, gable").
Used since the 14th century, originally referring to a small, pointed architectural feature. Its figurative meaning, referring to the highest point or degree, evolved later.
Memory tip
Think of a *pin* on a *nacle* (a small, pointed part) reaching the highest point.