goal

[gohl] /goʊl/
noun
1.
the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
2.
the terminal point in a race.
3.
a pole, line, or other marker by which such a point is indicated.
4.
an area, basket, cage, or other object or structure toward or into which players of various games attempt to throw, carry, kick, hit, or drive a ball, puck, etc., to score a point or points.
5.
the act of throwing, carrying, kicking, driving, etc., a ball or puck into such an area or object.
6.
the score made by this act.
Origin
1275-1325; Middle English gol boundary, limit; compare Old English gǣlan to hinder, impede
Related forms
goalless, adjective
subgoal, noun
Synonyms
1. target; purpose, object, objective, intent, intention. 2. finish.
Examples from the web for goals
  • Setting goals with your employees is an essential element of effective human resources management.
  • Their building-blocks were economic, but their goals were political.
  • Read on for ideas that could help you enhance your plans for the future while also meeting your philanthropic goals.
  • Some think it incompatible with, even inimical to, scientific goals.
  • Please help us achieve our goals by using the appropriate containers provided throughout the event.
  • Achieving these goals will require producing renewable and alternative fuels more efficiently, and stockpiling loads of them.
  • Our goals were to open the spaces to each other and to reorganize and upgrade the kitchen as a warm and elegant entertaining area.
  • But you may also have loftier goals or higher standards.
  • And not all of the goals seem particularly challenging.
  • Really dramatic progress towards the goals cannot come from aid alone.
British Dictionary definitions for goals

goal

/ɡəʊl/
noun
1.
the aim or object towards which an endeavour is directed
2.
the terminal point of a journey or race
3.
(in various sports) the net, basket, etc into or over which players try to propel the ball, puck, etc, to score
4.
(sport)
  1. a successful attempt at scoring
  2. the score so made
5.
(in soccer, hockey, etc) the position of goalkeeper
Derived Forms
goalless, adjective
Word Origin
C16: perhaps related to Middle English gol boundary, Old English gǣlan to hinder, impede
Word Origin and History for goals

goal

n.

1530s, "end point of a race," of uncertain origin. The noun gol appears once before this, in a poem from early 14c. and with an apparent sense of "boundary, limit." Perhaps from Old English *gal "obstacle, barrier," a word implied by gælan "to hinder." Or from Old French gaule "a pole," from Germanic; or a figurative use of Middle English gale "a way, course." Sports sense of "place where the ball is put to score" is attested from 1540s. Figurative sense of "object of an effort" is from 1540s.

Slang definitions & phrases for goals

goal

Related Terms

knock someone for a loop