Definitions for purpose
ˈpɜr pəspur·pose

Princeton's WordNet(4.06 / 19 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(4.25 / 4 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

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

2. Purpose(noun)

   proposal to another; discourse

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

3. Purpose(noun)

   instance; example

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

4. Purpose(verb)

   to set forth; to bring forward

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

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

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

6. Purpose(verb)

   to have a purpose or intention; to discourse

   Etymology: [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.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. purpose

   A reason to exist.

   We all require a sense of purpose to focus on daily and to motivate our actions.

   Submitted by MaryC on August 25, 2020  

2. purpose

   An accurate and specific vision, strategy, goal, objective, plan or budget we choose.

   The company was fit for purpose and all worked in harmony with each other to achieve.

   Submitted by MaryC on January 26, 2020  

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. Erich Frohm:

   As long as anyone believes that his ideal and purpose is outside him, that it is above the clouds, in the past or in the future, he will go outside himself and seek fulfillment where it cannot be found. He will look for solutions and answers at every point except where they can be found--in himself.

2. Danny Danon:

   Just over the last year alone, UNRWA officials were elected to the leadership of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA schools denied the existence of Israel, and terror tunnels were dug under UNRWA facilities, it is time for this absurdity to end and for humanitarian funds to be directed towards their intended purpose -- the welfare of refugees.

3. Anuj Somany:

   People are largely so callous to lend no ears to the true, generous words of a simple, ordinary person until they can use that thought for mere own personal or professional growth purpose.

4. Chicago Cubs:

   We did not hit their guy on purpose at all, that was an absolute mistake. There's no malicious intent whatsoever on Dan Haren's part. None.

5. Vladimir Putin:

   If the price of energy is lowered on purpose, this also hits those who introduce those limits.

Images & Illustrations of purpose

Popularity rank by frequency of use