purpose

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈpɝpəs/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈpɜːpəs/
• SAMPA: /"p3rp@s/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pur‧pose

Noun

Singular purpose

Plural purposes

1. (countable) A purpose is reason for doing something or for existing.
   • Synonyms: goal, objective and plan

   Coal is used for only three purposes: heating houses, generating electricity and making steel.

   The main purpose of the visit was to see the new building.

Verb

Plain form purpose

Third-person singular purposes

Past tense purposed

Past participle purposed

Present participle purposing

1. (transitive) If you purpose to do something, you plan on doing it.
   • Synonyms: aim and purport

Related words

• on purpose
• purposely
• cross-purposes