Definitions for purpose
ˈpɜr pəspur·pose

Princeton's WordNet(3.73 / 11 votes)Rate this definition:

1. purpose, intent, intention, aim, design(noun)

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

   "his intent was to provide a new translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"; "he made no secret of his designs"

2. function, purpose, role, use(noun)

   what something is used for

   "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"

3. determination, purpose(verb)

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

   "his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a man of purpose"

4. aim, purpose, purport, propose(verb)

   propose or intend

   "I aim to arrive at noon"

5. purpose, resolve(verb)

   reach a decision

   "he resolved never to drink again"

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Purpose(noun)

   that which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan

2. Purpose(noun)

   proposal to another; discourse

3. Purpose(noun)

   instance; example

4. Purpose(verb)

   to set forth; to bring forward

5. Purpose(verb)

   to propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; -- often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause

6. Purpose(verb)

   to have a purpose or intention; to discourse

Origin: [OF. purposer, proposer. See Propose.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Purpose

   pur′pos, n. idea or aim kept before the mind as the end of effort: aim, intention: effect: (Spens.) conversation: (pl.) a sort of conversational game.—Of, or On, purpose, with design, intentionally; To the purpose, to the point, or material to the question. [O. Fr. pourpos, propos—L. propositum, a thing intended—pro, forward, ponĕre, positum, to place.]

2. Purpose

   pur′pos, v.t. to intend (often followed by an infinitive or participial clause as its object).—v.i. to have an intention: (Spens.) to discourse.—adj. Pur′poseful, having an object: full of meaning.—adv. Pur′posefully.—n. Pur′posefulness.—adj. Pur′poseless, without purpose or effect: aimless.—adv. Pur′poselessly.—n. Pur′poselessness.—adj. Pur′pose-like, having a definite purpose: having the appearance of being fit for a purpose.—adv. Pur′posely, with purpose: intentionally.—n. Pur′poser.—adj. Pur′posive, having an aim: (biol.) functional.—n. Pur′posiveness. [O. Fr. purposer, form of proposer, influenced by Fr. propos.]

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. purpose

   Song lyrics by purpose -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by purpose on the Lyrics.com website.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'purpose' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1082

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'purpose' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1509

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'purpose' in Nouns Frequency: #264

How to pronounce purpose?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say purpose in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of purpose in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of purpose in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of purpose in a Sentence

1. John Servideo:

   Dream with a purpose

2. Whenever Graham:

   My one purpose in life.

3. Gene Oliver:

   Every path serves a purpose.

4. Jim Woster:

   It's a fun event with a purpose.

5. Benjamin Netanyahu:

   The purpose of my address to Congress.

Images & Illustrations of purpose

Popularity rank by frequency of use