*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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal
With rapid wheels. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The final purpose or aim; the end to which a design tends, or which a person aims to reach or attain. [ 1913 Webster ]

Each individual seeks a several goal. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A base, station, or bound used in various games as the point or object which a team must reach in order to score points; in certain games, the point which the ball or puck must pass in order for points to be scored. In football, it is a line between two posts across which the ball must pass in order to score points; in soccer or ice hockey, it is a net at each end of the soccer field into which the soccer ball or hocjey puck must be propelled; in basketball, it is the basket{ 7 } suspended from the backboard, through which the basketball must pass. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

4. (Sport) The act or instance of propelling the ball or puck into or through the goal{ 3 }, thus scoring points; as, to score a goal. [ PJC ]

Goal keeper, (Sport) the player charged with the defense of the goal, such as in soccer or ice hockey. [ 1913 Webster ]