pinpointed

Pinpointed is the past tense and past participle of the verb pinpoint, and it can also function as an adjective meaning identified with high precision. As a verb, pinpoint means to locate or identify something with accuracy, or to determine the exact cause, position, or source of a problem or event. The form pinpointed indicates that the action has been completed. As an adjective, pinpointed describes information, locations, or results that have been precisely established.

Origin and usage: The term derives from the compound of pin and point, used metaphorically to suggest fixing something or locating it exactly. It has been employed across disciplines such as science, journalism, policing, IT, and geography to convey exact determination or localization. The word often emphasizes exactness beyond general identification.

Examples: The investigators pinpointed the source of the outbreak. GPS data pinpointed the location to within five meters. The report contains pinpointed findings that narrow the suspect list. In written form, you may also see phrases like “a pinpointed location” or “pinpointed results” to stress precision.

Adjective use: When used attributively, pinpointed describes a thing that has been precisely identified, such as a pinpointed location or pinpointed data.

See also: pinpoint (verb); precision; exactness; identify; locate.