a means to an end
noun phrase
: something done only to produce a desired result
Computers have always been a means to an end for [George] Lucas: telling stories.—
David A. Kaplan
David A. KaplanExamples of a means to an end in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The End of the Affair does not present an optimistic picture of human love: Eros is a means to an end—a fatalistic step on the ladder toward agape.
—Terry Nguyen
july 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
Instead, the siblings were in dentistry, and the enterprise was fashioned as a means to an end during a difficult family crisis.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
And not just funny as a means to an end, but funny as an end unto itself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 3 July 2025
Katie: So for me, content comedy writing, it's always been a means to an end.
—Outside Online, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for a means to an end
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Terry Nguyen
july 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
Instead, the siblings were in dentistry, and the enterprise was fashioned as a means to an end during a difficult family crisis.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
And not just funny as a means to an end, but funny as an end unto itself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 3 July 2025
Katie: So for me, content comedy writing, it's always been a means to an end.
—Outside Online, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for a means to an end
Cite this Entry
“A means to an end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20means%20to%20an%20end. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share