GRAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does grail mean? 

• GRAIL (noun)
  The noun GRAIL has 2 senses:

1. the object of any prolonged endeavor

2. (legend) chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper

  Familiarity information: GRAIL used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GRAIL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The object of any prolonged endeavor

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("grail" is a kind of...):

aim; object; objective; target (the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable))

Sense 2

Meaning:

(legend) chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

grail; Holy Grail; Sangraal

Instance hypernyms:

chalice; goblet (a bowl-shaped drinking vessel; especially the Eucharistic cup)

Domain category:

fable; legend (a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events)

 Context examples 

It has long been believed that Earth has a solid iron core but no proof has ever been found and it has been heralded as the 'holy grail' of global seismology.

(Earth's Core Confirmed to Be Solid After 80 Years of Study, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

He had intended, probably, to take what he could and go—but now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)