goal
Pronounced:
/ˈgoʊl/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural goalsMeaning:
[count] 1 : something that you are trying to do or achieve ▪ He set a goal for himself of exercising at least three times a week. ▪ Her primary/long-term goal is to get a college degree. ▪ We all share/have 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. ▪ achieve/accomplish/reach/realize a goal
2 a : an area or object into which a ball or puck must be hit, kicked, etc., to score points in various games (such as soccer and hockey) ◊If you are the player who guards the goal in a sport like hockey or soccer, your position is in goal. ▪ He has played brilliantly in goal so far this year. ◊In U.S. English, a shot or kick that is on goal is directed at the goal. ▪ They had a dozen shots on goal in the second period. b : the act of hitting, kicking, etc., a ball or puck into a goal or the score that results from doing this ▪ Last month he had 10 goals and six assists. ▪ She scored the winning goal in the game's final minute. ▪ The team was ahead by a goal [=was ahead by one] when the third period started. —see also field goal
2 a : an area or object into which a ball or puck must be hit, kicked, etc., to score points in various games (such as soccer and hockey) ◊If you are the player who guards the goal in a sport like hockey or soccer, your position is in goal. ▪ He has played brilliantly in goal so far this year. ◊In U.S. English, a shot or kick that is on goal is directed at the goal. ▪ They had a dozen shots on goal in the second period. b : the act of hitting, kicking, etc., a ball or puck into a goal or the score that results from doing this ▪ Last month he had 10 goals and six assists. ▪ She scored the winning goal in the game's final minute. ▪ The team was ahead by a goal [=was ahead by one] when the third period started. —see also field goal
—goal·less /ˈgoʊlləs/ adjective ▪ After playing the first half, both teams were still goalless. [=neither team had scored a goal]
/ˈgoʊlləs/ adjective ▪ After playing the first half, both teams were still goalless. [=neither team had scored a goal]