Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Holy Grail

noun

Definition of Holy Grail

  1. 1 :  grail

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

See Holy Grail defined for English-language learners

See Holy Grail defined for kids

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

emoji-the-quiz
The Emoji Quiz
image386126722
Words That Come From the Dinner Table
alt-597233d35a146
Trending: 'Scaramouch,' Scaramucci Possibly to Fandango
video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Examples of holy grail in a Sentence

  1. Finding a cure for cancer is the holy grail of medical researchers.

First Known Use of holy grail

15th century

HOLY GRAIL Defined for English Language Learners

Holy Grail

noun

Definition of Holy Grail for English Language Learners

  • : something that you want very much but that is very hard to get or achieve

  • the Holy Grail : the cup that is said to have been used by Jesus Christ and that was sought by knights during the Middle Ages

Learn More about holy grail

  1. See words that rhyme with Holy Grail Nglish: Translation of Holy Grail for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Holy Grail

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Holy Grail? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

advise

play

to counsel, recommend, or inform

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. scaramouch A new White House communications director

  2. non sequitur “It does not follow”

  3. admiral's mast A massive search ends with an 'admiral's mast'.

  4. calumny 'An untrue statement that is made to damage someone's reputation'

  5. kakistocracy Frustrated Twitter users have been searching for this word.

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Holy Grail

Test Your Vocabulary

The Emoji Quiz

  • emoji-the-quiz
  • What phase of the moon is this: 🌖 ?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-59721dd897313
The 'Best' Way to Sign Off On An E-mail

Give them your best

image386126722
Words and Phrases That Come from the Dinner Table

Fill your plate with these surprising food words

ghost-being-disinvited-from-party
'Disinvite' or 'Uninvite'?

A disinvited guest is an uninvited problem

alt-596f730ceb5ae
Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'

Kombucha lovers unite.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

emoji-the-quiz
The Emoji Quiz

Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔

Take the quiz
image941935269
A Game of Thrones Word Quiz

In the Game of Thrones quiz, you learn some new vocabulary. (It’s quite safe, really. You will not die.)

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game
Examples: Holy Grail in a Sentence