plural goals
1
: the end toward which effort is directed : aim
The goal is high-speed rail travel.
2
a
: an area or object toward which players in various games attempt to advance a ball or puck and usually through or into which it must go to score points
b
: the act or action of causing a ball or puck to go through or into such a goal
c
: the score resulting from such an act
3
a
: the terminal point of a race
b
: an area to be reached safely in children's games
goal
intransitive verb
Synonyms
Examples of goal in a Sentence
He set a goal for himself of exercising at least three times a week.
Her primary goal is to get a college degree.
We all share a common goal.
She pursued her goal of starting her own business.
The company has instituted several new policies with the goal of reducing waste.
Last month he had 10 goals and six assists.
She scored the winning goal in the game's final minute.
Recent Examples on the Web
The goal is to appeal to empathy, instead of trying to change the other person.
—
Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
With that in mind, Nolan’s goals for the season are modest.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
More:What to know after federal judge pauses President Trump's buyouts for federal workers
Critics have said the administration’s goal is to make working for the federal government so unpleasant that employees will be driven out.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
If the case prompts thoughtful answers to any of these questions, these plaintiffs may still yet succeed in unwittingly advancing a very different goal — a more voter-centric reform movement.
—Jeremy Gruber, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for goal 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
With that in mind, Nolan’s goals for the season are modest.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
More:What to know after federal judge pauses President Trump's buyouts for federal workers
Critics have said the administration’s goal is to make working for the federal government so unpleasant that employees will be driven out.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
If the case prompts thoughtful answers to any of these questions, these plaintiffs may still yet succeed in unwittingly advancing a very different goal — a more voter-centric reform movement.
—Jeremy Gruber, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for goal
Dictionary Entries Near goal
Cite this Entry
“Goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goal. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
goal
noun1
a
: the ending point of a race
b
: an area to be reached safely in children's games
2
: the object toward which effort is directed
3
a
: an area or object into which a ball or puck must be driven to score points in various games
b
: the score resulting from driving a ball or puck into a goal
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