Goal (?), n. [F. gaule pole, Prov. F. waule, of German origin; cf. Fries. walu staff, stick, rod, Goth. walus, Icel. volr 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.
© Webster 1913. | 
