pinnacle

UK: /ˈpɪnɪk^əl/ US: /ˈpɪnəkəl/ ,(pin′ə kəl)

Inflections of 'pinnacle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

pinnacles

v 3rd person singular

pinnacling

v pres p

pinnacled

v past

pinnacled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pin•na•cle /ˈpɪnəkəl/   n. [countable]

1. a high peak or top of a mountain, esp. one that is pointed and thin.
2. the highest point one can reach, as of success, power, etc.:
   [often: the + ~] at the pinnacle of success.
3. Architecture a relatively small upright structure above a roof or on a tower.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pin•na•cle  (pin′ə kəl), n., v., -cled, -cling. 
n. 

1. a lofty peak.
2. the highest or culminating point, as of success, power, fame, etc.:
   the pinnacle of one's career.
3. any pointed, towering part or formation, as of rock.
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. See illus. under imbrication. 

v.t. 

5. to place on or as on a pinnacle.
6. to form a pinnacle on;
   crown.

• Late Latin pinnāculum gable, equivalent. to Latin pinn(a) raised part of a parapet, literally, wing, feather (see pinna) + -āculum; see tabernacle
• Middle French
• Middle English pinacle 1300–50

Synonyms

• 2. apex, acme, summit, zenith.
• 3. needle.

Antonyms

• 2. base.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pinnacle / ˈpɪnək^əl/ 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 (transitive)

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

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Late Latin pinnāculum a peak, from Latin pinna wing