grail

American  

[greyl] / greɪl /

noun

1. Sometimes Grail any greatly desired and sought-after objective; ultimate ideal or reward.

   The film's protagonist is defined by the struggle for his grail, a championship title he failed to win earlier in life.

2. Often the Grail Holy Grail.

   Weeks pass, and none of the knights return, so King Arthur himself must quest for the Grail.

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Grail British  

/ ɡreɪl /

noun

1. See Holy Grail

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Etymology

Origin of grail

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English graiel, graile, from Anglo-French grahel, grayel, Old French gräel, grel, from Medieval Latin gradālis “platter,” of uncertain origin; perhaps distantly connected to Latin crātēr “mixing bowl” ( crater ( def. ) ) or crātis “wickerwork” ( grate ¹ ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

“The hopes that I had for this holy grail are unfolding absolutely on plan,” Kaplan said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

“Musk wants to own and control more of the AI ecosystem and…the holy grail could be combining SpaceX and Tesla over the next 12 to 18 months.”

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

It’s their holy grail and they’ve never been closer to getting it.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

I needed Ashwagandha — that was my holy grail at the time for my perimenopause journey, and I was out of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

According to my grail diary, I’d played the game through to the end just once, all in one day, over four years ago.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline