Goal (?), n. [F. gaule pole, Prov. F. waule, of German origin; cf. Fries.
walu staff, stick, rod, Goth. walus, Icel.
völr a round stick; prob. akin to E. wale.]
1. The mark set
to bound a race, and to or around which the constestants run, or from which they start to return to it
again; the place at which a race
or a journey is to
end.
Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the
goal
With rapid wheels.
Milton.
2. The final purpose or aim; the end to which
a design tends, or which a person aims to reach or attain.
Each individual seeks a several goal.
Pope. 3. A base, station, or bound used in various games; in football, a line between two posts across which the ball must pass in order
to score; also, the act
of kicking the ball over the
line between the goal posts.
Goal keeper, the player charged with the defense of the goal.
Hear it pronounced