the idea
noun
: the central meaning or purpose of something : goal or intention
The whole idea of the game is to keep from getting caught.
The idea is to get people to attend.
Examples of the idea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The most fruitful of Ackerman’s decisions was to keep the idea of getting UConn into the new league even when several efforts went nowhere.
—
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
In the same social media post, his wife dismissed the idea that his disappearance was linked to that work.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 21 Apr. 2026
At its core, Zionism embraces the idea of regional coexistence, reflected in Israel’s long-standing efforts to pursue peace, from its agreements with Egypt and Jordan to the Abraham Accords and other regional initiatives.
—Elad Strohmayer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Deutsche Bank analysts said in the report last week that Fed officials seem to be coalescing around the idea that reducing the balance sheet will be a slower process that requires more fundamental changes at the central bank.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the idea
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Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
In the same social media post, his wife dismissed the idea that his disappearance was linked to that work.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 21 Apr. 2026
At its core, Zionism embraces the idea of regional coexistence, reflected in Israel’s long-standing efforts to pursue peace, from its agreements with Egypt and Jordan to the Abraham Accords and other regional initiatives.
—Elad Strohmayer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Deutsche Bank analysts said in the report last week that Fed officials seem to be coalescing around the idea that reducing the balance sheet will be a slower process that requires more fundamental changes at the central bank.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the idea
Cite this Entry
“The idea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20idea. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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