goalpost

noun

goal·​post ˈgōl-ˌpōst How to pronounce goalpost (audio)
: one of usually two vertical posts that with or without a crossbar constitute the goal in various games

Examples of goalpost in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Even on game days, McCarthy would take a seat at the base of a goalpost a couple of hours before kickoff and meditated to help prepare him for the pressure that comes with playing his pivotal position. Larry Lage, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 Over the last two years, the goalpost for startups to show success has shifted from growth to profitable growth with high margins. Darsh Singh Mann, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 One second-division game last Friday saw fans attach to the goalposts thick metal bicycle locks and display a banner showing a club executive's face in crosshairs. James Ellingworth, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 What’s more, both governments reserve the right to move these goalposts for any reason, potentially bringing into scope a massive number of smaller but increasingly powerful models, many of which can be run locally on laptops or smartphones. IEEE Spectrum, 8 Feb. 2024 The goalposts seemingly keep moving forward, as the current prospect of retirement requires a larger nest egg than in the past. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 That’s not to say the right hasn’t tried to move the goalposts more in its direction to place Swift and Kelce on the left. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 The ball is the same size, the goalpost is the same size. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 Framing a soft landing as a perpetual expansion is moving the goalposts. Mike Sommers, Fortune Europe, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goalpost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goalpost was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near goalpost

Cite this Entry

“Goalpost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goalpost. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

goalpost

noun
goal·​post ˈgōl-ˌpōst How to pronounce goalpost (audio)
: one of two upright posts that serve as the goal in various games
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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