Definition of GOAL

goal

Meanings

Plural: goals

Noun

  • the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
  • the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
  • game equipment consisting of the place toward which players of a game try to advance a ball or puck in order to score points
  • a successful attempt at scoring
    • "the winning goal came with less than a minute left to play"
  • A result that one is attempting to achieve.
  • In many sports, an area into which the players attempt to put an object.
  • The act of placing the object into the goal.
  • A point scored in a game as a result of placing the object into the goal.
  • A noun or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb. The subject of a passive verb or the direct object of an active verb. Also called a patient, target, or undergoer.

Verb

  • To score a goal.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English gol (“boundary, limit”), from Old English *gāl (“obstacle, barrier, marker”), suggested by its derivatives Old English gǣlan (“to hinder, delay, impede, keep in suspense, linger, hesitate, dupe”), and hyġegǣls (“hesitating, slow, sluggish”), hyġegǣlsa (“slow one, sluggish one”). Possibly cognate with Lithuanian gãlas (“end”), Latvian gals (“end”), Old Prussian gallan (“death”), Albanian ngalem (“to be limping, lame, paralyzed”), ngel (“to remain, linger, hesitate, get stuck”).

Scrabble Score: 5

goal is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
goal is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
goal is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

goal is a valid Words With Friends word