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Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (to propose), from Latin prō (forth) + pausāre, present active infinitive of pausō (halt, cease, pause).


purpose (plural purposes)

  1. An object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal.
  2. A result that is desired; an intention.
  3. The act of intending to do something; resolution; determination.
      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.
  4. The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
  5. The reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way.
    The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
  6. (obsolete) Instance; example.
Derived terms[edit]

to be checked

Etymology 2[edit]

From Middle English purposen, from Old French purposer (to propose)


purpose (third-person singular simple present purposes, present participle purposing, simple past and past participle purposed)

  1. (transitive) Have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
    • Macaulay
  2. (transitive) (passive) Designed for some purpose.
  3. (obsolete, intransitive) To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
Derived terms[edit]


  • purpose” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
  • "purpose" in WordNet 2.0, Princeton University, 2003.