purpose — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The end for which something is done, is made or exists.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   endpoint

   Examples

   What is the purpose of your visit?

   The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

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   In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.

2. Function, role.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.

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   The purpose of the gall-bladder is obviously to permit the accumulation of bile, when it is not wanted in the intestine; and we find it most constantly present in those tribes of animals, which live upon animal food

   As with all life forms, the sole purpose of a virus is to ensure reproduction in kind.

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   Is it the purpose of mosquitoes to ultimately provide calories to large birds of prey?

   The purpose of the dance is to attract attention to the returning worker bee so she can share the odor of the nectar with other workers who will then follow the odor trail to the source.

   Furthermore, since the purpose of DNA is to translate to proteins, a valid solution on its origin needs to describe the mechanism by which the complementary base pairs map to amino acids.

3. meaning for existing or doing something.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   meaning

   Examples

   More examples (4)

   Before being hospitalized, Thea filled her days with work that gave her life purpose. Whether it was teaching, writing, or investing in relationships, Thea was busily and actively engaged in activity that she could feel good about.

   This place gave him purpose, gave him joy. It was both his life and his lifeline and she was both thrilled and relieved that he'd recovered enough to be able to maintain the place.

   A sense of belonging helps to ground the individual by providing a particular way of being in the world which, in turn, helps individuals to make meaning of their life experiences and gives them a sense of purpose, including a sense of responsibility to the group to which one belongs.

   He wanted her to know that she gave him purpose, gave him the will to live after he lost Kaylah. He wanted her to know that, no, the diamond wasn't precious enough to symbolize how much he cherished her breath,[…]

4. Resolution; determination.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   […]purſued his vnneighbourly purpoſe in ſuch ſort: that hee being the ſtronger perſwader, and ſhe (belike) too credulous in beleeuing or elſe ouer-feeble in reſiſting, from priuate imparlance, they fell to action; and continued their cloſe fight a long while together, vnſeene and vvithout ſuſpition, no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment.

   Perhaps you have heard that there was once some purpose of marriage between the Duc de Joyeuse and myself; it is of that which I have to tell.

   United began with more purpose in the early phase of the second half and Liverpool were grateful for Glen Johnson's crucial block from Young's goalbound shot.

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   Some poems, echoing the purpose of early poetic treatises on scientific principles, attempt to elucidate the mathematical concepts that underlie prime numbers. Others play with primes’ cultural associations. Still others derive their structure from mathematical patterns involving primes.

5. The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   […]he was woont to ſpeake plaine, and to the purpoſe (like an honeſt man and a ſouldier) […]

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   The speech he made was so little to the purpose, that I shall not trouble my Readers with an account of it; and I believe was not so much designed by the Knight himself to inform the Court, as to give him a figure in my eye[…]

   The duke was restless and thoughtful the whole evening, often changed the discourse; like an absent man; and abruptly, quite from the purpose; asked the marshal, "If in his military expeditions, he had ever undertaken any affair of consequence in the night."

   But now, forasmuch as you have stopt up a few shards in these your last tedious commentaries, though very hardly and quite from the purpose, […]

Verb

1. To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

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   1485 – Thomas Malory. Le Morte Darthur, Book X, Chapter xxxvi, leaf 235v Soo was Alysander purposed to ryde to london by the coūceille of sire Tristram to syre Launcelot / "So was Alisander purposed to ride to London, by the counsel of Sir Tristram, to Sir Launcelot."

   Our gracious Ancestors, however, purposed Nothing, against these their ancient and implacable Enemies, save what was necessary and indispensable, with respect to their own Preservation.

   I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.

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   […] and because you look not to hear of your well-doing of man, I am purposed to pass it over with silence, and to give myself presently to that which is more profitable unto you; […]

   ERIPHYLE: He splits my skull, not in a friendly way, Once more: he purposes to kill me dead. CHORUS: I would not be reputed rash, but yet I doubt if all be gay within the house.

   Whatever you would call "suffering" in your own life, God has allowed it. Even purposed it. Don't you dare think you can't handle it! First Corinthians 10:13 promises that you can not only handle it, but glorify God in it.

2. To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   Upon my ſoul, / You may beleeve him: nor did he ere purpoſe / To me but nobly;[…]

3. To discourse.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   Whom ouertaking, ſhe in merry ſort Them gan to bord, and purpoſe diuerſly,[…]

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   Wherein, as yee heape vp the names of a number of men not vnworthy to bee had in honour; ſo there are a number whom when yee mention, although it ſerue yee to purpoſe with the ignorant and vulgar ſort, who meaſure by tale and not by waight, yet ſurely they who know what qualitie and value the men are of, will thinke yee drawe very neare the dregs.

Noun

1. an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

   Synonyms

   intentintentionaimdesign

   Broader terms

   goalend

   Examples

   his intent was to provide a new translation

   good intentions are not enough

   More examples (2)

   it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs

   he made no secret of his designs

2. what something is used for

   Synonyms

   functionroleuse

   Broader terms

   utilityusefulness

   Examples

   the function of an auger is to bore holes

   ballet is beautiful but what use is it?

3. the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

   Synonyms

   determination

   Broader terms

   resolutenessfirmnessfirmness of purposeresolveresolution

   Examples

   his determination showed in his every movement

   he is a man of purpose

Verb

1. propose or intend

   Synonyms

   aimpurportpropose

   Broader terms

   intendmeanthink

   Examples

   I aim to arrive at noon

2. reach a decision

   Synonyms

   resolve

   Broader terms

   decidemake up one's minddetermine

   Examples

   he resolved never to drink again