goal

noun

ˈgōl 

chiefly Northern US especially in senses 3b and 2a also

ˈgül 

plural goals

1

: the end toward which effort is directed : aim

The goal is high-speed rail travel.

2

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

3

a

: the terminal point of a race

b

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

goal intransitive verb

goalless

ˈgō(l)-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• purpose
• aim
• plan
• objective
• intention
• intent
• idea
• object
• ambition
• dream
• thing

Choose the Right Synonym for goal

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain.

intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

Examples of goal in a Sentence

He set a goal for himself of exercising at least three times a week.

Her primary goal is to get a college degree.

We all share a common goal.

She pursued her goal of starting her own business.

The company has instituted several new policies with the goal of reducing waste.

Last month he had 10 goals and six assists.

She scored the winning goal in the game's final minute.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether your goal is to work in government, the private sector, or a nonprofit organization, our curriculum prepares you for diverse roles such as intelligence analyst, foreign service officer, military analyst, or special agent. —Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

The goal is to create an operational Moon base. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

Those who opt in will receive bloodwork, wearables, and biometric data, followed by access to a coach who will tailor performance goals to the person’s particular data. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025

Global apparel manufacturer Crystal International has made a new move toward its sustainability goals by joining environmental nonprofit Textile Exchange. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gol boundary, limit

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing goal

• drop goal
• field goal
• goal kick
• goal line
• last-gasp goal
• own goal
• sub-goal

Rhymes for goal

• boal
• bole
• bowl
• coal
• droll
• foal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll
• nolle

Kids Definition

goal

noun

ˈgōl 

1

a

: the ending point of a race

b

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

2

: the object toward which effort is directed

3

a

: an area or object into which a ball or puck must be driven to score points in various games

b

: the score resulting from driving a ball or puck into a goal