1
a
: the reason something is done or used : intention
an ancient structure used for ceremonial purposes
The purpose of the new resort is to attract more tourists.
The fence's purpose was to prepare the park for its future.—
Ismail Muhammad
Ismail Muhammad
b
: the feeling of being determined to do or achieve something : resolution, determination
wrote with purpose
felt that my life lacked purpose
We started work again with a renewed sense of purpose.
c
: the aim or goal of a person
Her sole purpose in life was to be a writer.
We shared a common purpose.
a life spent searching for a higher purpose
2
dated
: a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution
They said very little that was to the purpose.
Examples of purpose in a Sentence
Noun
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.
Verb
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.
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.
Verb
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2025
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2025
Cofounder Jimmy Wales explains how introducing a simple purpose, insisting on certain rules of engagement, and other strategies helped the organization to build trust with contributors and users — and maintain it even in a world bombarded by misinformation.
—Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2025
Well, maybe not cheering, exactly, but at least nodding in mild appreciation at a movie that realizes its humble and happy purpose.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purpose
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
During the hourlong conversation with Billboard’s Leila Cobo, the Puerto Rican artist opened up about his personal and professional rebirth, his latest album Lamento en Baile, and God’s purpose for him.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2025
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2025
Cofounder Jimmy Wales explains how introducing a simple purpose, insisting on certain rules of engagement, and other strategies helped the organization to build trust with contributors and users — and maintain it even in a world bombarded by misinformation.
—Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2025
Well, maybe not cheering, exactly, but at least nodding in mild appreciation at a movie that realizes its humble and happy purpose.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purpose
Cite this Entry
“Purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purpose. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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