goal

goal

noun \ˈgōl, chiefly Northern especially in 1b & 3a also ˈgül\

Definition of GOAL

1

a : the terminal point of a race

b : an area to be reached safely in children's games

2

: the end toward which effort is directed : aim

3

a : an area or object toward which players in various games attempt to advance a ball or puck and usually through or into which it must go to score points

b : the act or action of causing a ball or puck to go through or into such a goal

c : the score resulting from such an act

— goal intransitive verb

— goal·less \ˈgō(l)-ləs\ adjective

Examples of GOAL

1. He set a goal for himself of exercising at least three times a week.
2. Her primary goal is to get a college degree.
3. We all share a common goal.
4. She pursued her goal of starting her own business.
5. The company has instituted several new policies with the goal of reducing waste.
6. Last month he had 10 goals and six assists.
7. She scored the winning goal in the game's final minute.

Origin of GOAL

Middle English gol boundary, limit

First Known Use: 1531

Related to GOAL

Synonyms

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game

Related Words

grail, holy grail; plot, project, scheme; desire, hope, mind, wish; nirvana; destination, terminus

Near Antonyms

means, method, way

See Synonym Discussion at intention

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lateral, lax, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

Rhymes with GOAL

bole, boll, bowl, coal, cole, Cole, dhole, dole, droll, foal, hole, knoll, kohl, Kohl, mole, ole, pole, poll, prole, role, roll, scroll, Seoul, shoal, skoal, sol, sole, soul, stole, stroll, thole, tole, toll, troll, vole, whole