purpose

noun pur·pose \ ˈpər-pəs \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of purpose

1 a : something set up as an object or end to be attained : intention

b : resolution, determination

2 : a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution

— on purpose

: by intent : intentionally

See purpose defined for English-language learners

See purpose defined for kids

Examples of purpose in a Sentence

Shocking as it is, more than a month after the hurricane hit, New Orleans is still, for all practical purposes, a ghost town. —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005
By the time … American aid began pouring in, to all intents and purposes the war had already been lost. —Neil L. Jamieson, Understanding Vietnam, 1993
But wartime wage and price controls prevented companies from competing for the available talent by means of increased salaries. They had to compete with fringe benefits instead, and free health insurance was tailor-made for this purpose. —John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, May - June 1992
His purpose is to realize himself, to live the fullest possible life, and he is responsible for this, like all men, regardless of how society treats him. —Shelby Steele, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 1990
The purpose of the new resort is to attract more tourists.
The loans are small but they serve a good purpose.
Sometimes his life seemed to lack purpose or meaning.
We started work again with a renewed sense of purpose.

Recent Examples of purpose from the Web

From the publisher: As a beloved evangelist and a respected man of God, Billy Graham’s stated purpose in life never wavered: to help people find a personal relationship with God through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

— Fox News, "'Through My Father's Eyes' by Franklin Graham," 2 May 2018
The series is now for all intents and purposes over.

— joe vardon, cleveland.com, "What does LeBron James' son think of these magical game winners?" 'It's normal'," 6 May 2018
Next, the sample that research firm Check Point analyzed came bundled with malware, which sort of defeats the purpose.

— brian barrett, WIRED, "Security News This Week: Drone Swarms Are Messing With Hostage Situations Now," 5 May 2018
This carefully observed family story rings true to life, but a larger purpose in Laura’s 15-year chronicle remains elusive.

— kate greathead, New York Times, "Three Sparkling Debuts, Joined by New York City," 4 May 2018
Elemental Avocado Toasts Makes 2 toasts The modest citrusy dressing serves two purposes: to season the avocado, and as a hedge against it browning quickly.

— adam ried, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipes: Avocado toasts six ways," 4 May 2018
Since Trump paid Cohen much more than the $130,000 that went to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, to what purpose did the rest of the money go?

— david lauter, latimes.com, "High-risk decisions with little consultation — Trump's legal team adopts his style," 4 May 2018
For this purpose, some banks use software originally developed to detect money-laundering.

— The Economist, "Software that detects human trafficking," 3 May 2018
This is a homogeneous group of exploitive and corrupt people, whose primary purpose is to advance themselves professionally and economically at the expense of Mr. Cosby's life.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "Camille Cosby Defends Husband, Says Bill Cosby Was The Victim Of 'Lynch Mobs'," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'purpose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of purpose

Middle English purpos, from Anglo-French, from purposer to intend, propose, from Latin proponere (perfect indicative proposui) to propose — more at propound

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

purpose Synonyms

Phrases

name of the game;

Synonym Discussion of purpose

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain. intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

- announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

- the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

- being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

- the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

- her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

- willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

- his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

- their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

- worked years to reach her goals

purpose

verb

Definition of purpose

purposed; purposing

transitive verb

: to propose as an aim to oneself

Examples of purpose in a Sentence

I have not purposed to misrepresent this boy in any way, for what little indignation he excited in me soon passed and left nothing behind it but compassion. —Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880
The child then explained that they had left the races on the first day, and were travelling to the next town on that road, where they purposed to spend the night. —Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, 1841
I've been purposing to fix that thing for some time now.