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
Katie: So for me, content comedy writing, it's always been a means to an end.
—Outside Online, 18 June 2025
These shared culinary experiences foster laughter, bonding and storytelling, turning meals into memorable moments rather than just a means to an end.
—Food Drink Life, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Yet savvy business and government leaders understand that quantum is a means to an end—a powerful tool to achieve specific objectives rather than an end goal in itself.
—Yuval Boger, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Rather, it should be viewed as any other tool, a means to an end.
—Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 30 May 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.
Outside Online, 18 June 2025
These shared culinary experiences foster laughter, bonding and storytelling, turning meals into memorable moments rather than just a means to an end.
—Food Drink Life, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Yet savvy business and government leaders understand that quantum is a means to an end—a powerful tool to achieve specific objectives rather than an end goal in itself.
—Yuval Boger, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Rather, it should be viewed as any other tool, a means to an end.
—Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 30 May 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 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share