goat

1 of 2

noun

plural goats
1
a
or plural goat : any of various hollow-horned ruminant mammals (especially of the genus Capra) related to the sheep but of lighter build and with backwardly arching horns, a short tail, and usually straight hair
especially : one (Capra hircus) long domesticated for its milk, wool, and flesh
b
capitalized : capricorn
2
: a licentious man : lecher
3
goatish adjective
goatlike adjective

GOAT

2 of 2

abbreviation or noun

variants or less commonly G.O.A.T.
plural GOATs also G.O.A.T.s
: the greatest of all time : the most accomplished and successful individual in the history of a particular sport or category of performance or activity
As much fun as it is to debate who is the greatest in NBA history, it's pointless, a question for which there can be no definitive answer …. The list of players who could be considered the GOAT is long, and each one is worthy in his own right.Nancy Armour
There's no denying what Aaron Rodgers has done in his career, but to say Rodgers is the GOAT is a big statement considering what Tom Brady has accomplished.Pro Football Weekly
Former President (and arguably the GOAT of post-presidency careers) Jimmy Carter is leasing 10 acres of his Georgia peanut farm to SolAmerica to create a 1.3MW solar array.Walter Einenkel
If championships alone are the measuring stick, then Michael [Jordan] is probably going to remain the popular choice as the GOAT. But if I can go on aesthetics alone, I know I'd rather watch LeBron [James].Bob Ryan

Examples of goat in a Sentence

Noun In the last inning, a home run can make you the hero, and a strikeout can make you the goat. an unhappy childhood was the goat he used to rationalize every failure and shortcoming
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Banker specifies that baby goats are used exclusively for goat yoga. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 There was a baby goat, Coco, whose mother was killed by the fire. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs Desiree Rios, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Jim Tarbell, then the owner of both Arnold’s and Grammer’s, offered roasted goat and suckling pig at the former and piles of sausages, including bockwurst, metts and andouille, from Avril & Son butcher shop (now Avril-Bleh) at the latter. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024 The singing to goats, Bacon explained on his podcast, occurred as a direct result of a gift from pal Jimmy Fallon. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 While he’s only lived inside with a cat, Patrick will soon meet the other animals at Haggins’ farm, including four horses, two other goats and a pony. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 2024 There are 12 different animals in the race: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024 Chip Gaines knows the old adage is true: happy wife (and goats), happy life! Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 The Kansas City residents who live near Parkville, had to bottle feed their goat every four hours, and all their possible goat-sitters were busy or going to the parade. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 2024
Abbreviation or noun
The Italian fashion label has continued its partnership with Roc Nation to deliver an all-new collection of luxury apparel and accessories, designed by rap GOAT Jay-Z. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2024 Has everyone forgotten about Goldilocks, the GOAT centrist? Isaiah Freeman-Schub, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2024 For his part, Taylor — who played his entire career for the Giants from 1981-1993 — couldn’t believe that given his GOAT status, Brady remains the league’s leader for most sacks ever with 565. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023 The model comes in various materials and colorways, but the GOAT opted for a titanium case and a black rubber strap. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2023 No one disputes Serena Williams’ GOAT status and no one maligns women’s tennis as less than the men’s. Melissah Yang, refinery29.com, 3 Oct. 2023 Simone Biles is continuing to dominate in gymnastics, cementing her status as the GOAT. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 2 Oct. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gote, from Old English gāt; akin to Old High German geiz goat, Old Norse geit, Latin haedus kid

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Abbreviation Or Noun

1996, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goat was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near goat

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

goat

noun
plural goat or goats
1
: any of various cud-chewing mammals having hollow horns that curve backward, a short tail, and usually straight hair and related to the sheep but of lighter build
especially : one raised for its milk, wool, and flesh
2
goatlike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on goat

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