Holy Grail

noun

1
: grail
2
often not capitalized : an object or goal that is sought after for its great significance

Examples of Holy Grail in a Sentence

Finding a cure for cancer is the holy grail of medical researchers.
Recent Examples on the Web Bars include Killer Queen, Red Leprechaun, The Stretch, Holy Grail, Tin Roof, Fishbowl, Jefferson Social. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 The album was released independently and is considered a ‘Holy Grail’ of the Zamrock movement for its mark on history including the intoxicating title track which opens with Jagari introducing and immortalizing the late members of the original WITCH ensemble. Tracy Kawalik, SPIN, 5 Mar. 2024 And back in 2003, the now-defunct Grand Lake Brewing made a beer-like concoction called Holy Grail that had about the same alcohol content. Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Participating sites include Fishbowl, Tin Roof, Jefferson Social, Killer Queen, The Stretch, Red Leprechaun, and Holy Grail. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 4 Feb. 2024 In a world filled with crises, the U.S. secretary of state has decided to resume a generations-long quest for the diplomatic Holy Grail: a Palestinian state. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 19 Jan. 2024 With Magna Carta Holy Grail audiences saw production from Pharrell Williams, Hit-Boy, Bo-1da and The-Dream, and features from Beyoncé, Rick Ross, Frank Ocean and Justin Timberlake this album had amazing potential, but too many of the songs failed to resonate with some of Jay-Z’s core fanbase. Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Dec. 2023 Given that reciting bits of Holy Grail is practically an NCAA sport, a stage adaptation would seem to be headed straight for the danger zone — the place where a play becomes, not to put too fine a point on it, a dead parrot. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2023 The phenomenon is a Holy Grail for materials and energy researchers. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Holy Grail.' 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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Holy Grail was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near Holy Grail

Cite this Entry

“Holy Grail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Holy%20Grail. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Holy Grail

noun
-ˈgrā(ə)l
: the cup or platter which according to legend was used by Christ and was sought after by knights during the Middle Ages

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