pointe

noun

ˈpwaⁿ(n)t How to pronounce pointe (audio)
: a ballet position in which the body is balanced on the extreme tip of the toe

Examples of pointe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Is the ballet pointe shoe the biggest source of inspiration for footwear designers right now? — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026 The sheen and square-toe box make these reminiscent of ballet pointe shoes. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026 The Rosin Box Project, a collective of ballet rebels who dance en pointe to the beat of different choreographers, is inviting audiences to experience a before-and-after production this week. — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026 The scholarship will cover ballet pointe shoes, leotards, and more. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pointe

Word History

Etymology

French pointe (du pied), literally, tiptoe

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pointe was in 1846

Phrases Containing pointe

Rhymes for pointe

See All Rhymes for pointe

Browse Nearby Words

point duty
pointe
Pointe-à-Pitre
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pointe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pointe. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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