pinnacle

[ pin-uh-kuhl ]

noun

1. a lofty peak.
2. the highest or culminating point, as of success, power, fame, etc.:

   the pinnacle of one's career.

   Synonyms: zenith, summit, peak, acme, apex

   Antonyms: nadir

3. any pointed, towering part or formation, as of rock.

   Synonyms: needle

4. Architecture. a relatively small, upright structure, commonly terminating in a gable, a pyramid, or a cone, rising above the roof or coping of a building, or capping a tower, buttress, or other projecting architectural member.

verb (used with object)

, pin·na·cled, pin·na·cling.

1. to place on or as on a pinnacle.
2. to form a pinnacle on; crown.

pinnacle

/ ˈpɪnəkəl /

noun

1. the highest point or level, esp of fame, success, etc
2. a towering peak, as of a mountain
3. a slender upright structure in the form of a cone, pyramid, or spire on the top of a buttress, gable, or tower

verb

1. to set on or as if on a pinnacle
2. to furnish with a pinnacle or pinnacles
3. to crown with a pinnacle

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinnacle¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pinacle, from Middle French, from Late Latin pinnāculum “gable,” equivalent to Latin pinn(a) “raised part of a parapet,” literally, “wing, feather ” ( pinna ) + -āculum; tabernacle

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinnacle¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin pinnāculum a peak, from Latin pinna wing

Example Sentences

Taylor-Serrano was the pinnacle of the sport, as good as it gets, but we were soon dragged into the circus that appears now engrained in modern boxing.

From BBC

At that moment, it seemed like Trump’s return to the pinnacles of American power from the depths of 6 January 2021 was all but complete.

From BBC

"There's certain things about our bands, which remind people of a pinnacle moment in their life."

From BBC

The cost-cutting measures left many - including long-standing core sports which see the Commonwealth Games as the pinnacle - facing an anxious wait.

From BBC

A pinnacle will be missing in some sports' skyline.

From BBC

Related Words

• apex
• culmination
• greatest
• height
• peak

More About Pinnacle

What does pinnacle mean?

A pinnacle is the highest point of something, especially success or fame. The pinnacle of a person’s career, for example, is the point at which they are most successful in their field.

In a literal sense, a pinnacle is a tall peak of a mountain.

In architecture, a pinnacle is an upright structure (usually some kind of cone, pyramid, or spire) that rises up from the roof of a building or caps a tower.

Example: Reaching the pinnacle of Sagarmāthā was the pinnacle of my mountaineering career.

Where does pinnacle come from?

The first records of the word pinnacle come from the 1300s. It comes from the late Latin word pinnāculum, meaning “gable” (the triangular part at the peak of a roof), from the Latin pinna, meaning “wing.”

When you reach the pinnacle of a mountain or your career, you are at the highest point—you can’t go any higher. At the pinnacle of a mountain, everything is below you, and it’s all downhill from there, as the saying goes. The same goes for the pinnacle of success or fame, though some people stay on top without ever having to come down.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for pinnacle?

• peak
• summit
• zenith
• apex
• acme
• high point
• culmination

What are some words that share a root or word element with pinnacle? 

• pinna
• pin

What are some words that often get used in discussing pinnacle?

• success
• fame
• career
• mountain
• top

How is pinnacle used in real life?

Pinnacle is most often used in a figurative way to discuss the peak of something, like someone’s career, an art form, or an era of film or television.

Dannielle Khan takes part @Glasgow2014 today and says it will be the pinnacle of her career: http://t.co/HWTjdrKuZX pic.twitter.com/bTJSpYi29L

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) July 24, 2014

Is the Champions League final the display of the pinnacle of ability and craft of the beautiful game? Well-honed teams of players from around the world playing for clubs in the world's top leagues. Can anything else come close?

— Matt Staub (@staubio) August 23, 2020

This is your view from the pinnacle of Austria's Schafberg Mountain… almost 6,000 ft… Phew! pic.twitter.com/Q68YjzlQRV

— Memory Making Vacations (@MyMMVacation) February 5, 2020

 

 

Try using pinnacle!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of pinnacle?

A. peak
B. culmination
C. summit
D. foundation