take point

verb

To assume the first and most exposed position in a formation in combat; to serve as the lead soldier or unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory.

Similar
run point
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Meanings

verbtake point (third-person singular simple present takes point, present participle taking point, simple past took point, past participle taken point)

present singular third person takes point · participle present taking point · past took point · participle past taken point

  1. governmentTo assume the first and most exposed position in a formation in combat; to serve as the lead soldier or unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory.

    Synonyms: run point

  2. broadlyTo assume a key role in an operation.

    But unlike the intervention in Libya, where France and Britain took point and America “led from behind”, an intervention in Syria would have to be a mostly American affair, and as such it would be done with massive force from the outset.

    2012 September 15, “The war in Syria: Death from the skies”, in The Economist

    Synonyms: run point

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo assume the first and most exposed position in a formation in combat; to serve as the lead soldier or unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory.

Similar
run point

verbTo assume a key role in an operation.

Similar
run point
Also see
run point

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 担当前哨
  • 担当前哨 (dāndāngqiánshào)to be the first, to lead in the combat
Finnish mennä edeltä, mennä kärkeen
  • mennä edeltäto be the first, to lead in the combat
  • mennä kärkeento be the first, to lead in the combat
  • johtaato be the first, to lead in the combat
  • johtaato assume a key role in an operation
  • ottaa johtoto assume a key role in an operation
French passer devant
  • passer devantto be the first, to lead in the combat
Russian пойти́ пе́рвым, повести́ за собо́й
  • пойти́ пе́рвым (pojtí pérvym)to be the first, to lead in the combat
  • повести́ за собо́й (povestí za sobój)to be the first, to lead in the combat
  • возгла́витьto assume a key role in an operation
Cite this entry
APA

take point. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20point

MLA

“take point.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20point. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “take point,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20point.

Source: take point on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.