point

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

• noun A sharp or tapered end.
• noun An object having a sharp or tapered end.
• noun A tapering extension of land projecting into water; a peninsula, cape, or promontory.
• noun A mark formed by or as if by a sharp end.
• noun A mark or dot used in printing or writing for punctuation, especially a period.
• noun A decimal point.
• noun Linguistics A vowel point.
• noun One of the protruding marks used in certain methods of writing and printing for the blind.
• noun A dimensionless geometric object having no properties except location.
• noun An element in a geometrically described set.
• noun A place or locality considered with regard to its position.
• noun A narrowly particularized and localized position or place; a spot.
• noun A specified degree, condition, or limit, as in a scale or course.
• noun Any of the 32 equal divisions marked at the circumference of a mariner's compass card that indicate direction.
• noun The interval of 11°15′ between any two adjacent markings.
• noun A distinct condition or degree.
• noun The interval of time immediately before a given occurrence; the verge.
• noun A specific moment in time.
• noun An objective or purpose to be reached or achieved, or one that is worth reaching or achieving.
• noun The major idea or essential part of a concept or narrative.
• noun A significant, outstanding, or effective idea, argument, or suggestion.
• noun A separate, distinguishing item or element; a detail.
• noun A quality or characteristic that is important or distinctive, especially a standard characteristic used to judge an animal.
• noun A single unit, as in counting, rating, or measuring.
• noun A unit of academic credit usually equal to one hour of class work per week during one semester.
• noun A numerical unit of academic achievement equal to a letter grade.
• noun Sports & Games A unit of scoring or counting.
• noun A unit equal to one dollar, used to quote or state variations in the current prices of stocks or commodities.
• noun A unit equal to one percent, used to quote or state interest rates or shares in gross profits.
• noun One percent of the total principal of a loan, paid up front to the lender and considered separately from the interest.
• noun Music A phrase, such as a fugue subject, in contrapuntal music.
• noun Printing A unit of type size equal to 0.01384 inch, or approximately ¹/₇₂ of an inch.
• noun A jeweler's unit of weight equal to 2 milligrams or 0.01 carat.
• noun The act or an instance of pointing.
• noun The stiff and attentive stance taken by a hunting dog.
• noun A reconnaissance or patrol unit that moves ahead of an advance party or guard, or that follows a rear guard.
• noun The position occupied by such a unit or guard.
• noun Either of two positions in ice hockey just inside the offensive zone near the boards, usually assumed by defenders attempting to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
• noun Basketball A position in the forecourt beyond the top of the key, usually taken by the point guard.
• noun In women's lacrosse, a defensive player who marks the opponent playing nearest to the goal (the first home).