Holy Grail

or ho·ly grail

[ hoh-lee greyl ]

noun

1. Also the Grail. Arthurian Legend, Teutonic Legend. a cup or chalice that in medieval legend was associated with unusual powers, especially the regeneration of life and, later, Christian purity, and was much sought after by medieval knights: identified with the cup used at the Last Supper:

   Wagner adapted the story of his opera Parsifal from the medieval legends of the search for the Holy Grail.

2. Usually holy grail. grail:

   Brisket is the holy grail of barbecue because it's considered so difficult to cook well.

Holy Grail

noun

1. 1. Also calledGrailSangraal (in medieval legend) the bowl used by Jesus at the Last Supper. It was allegedly brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea, where it became the quest of many knights
   2. (in modern spirituality) a symbol of the spiritual wholeness that leads a person to union with the divine
2. informal.
   any desired ambition or goal

   the Holy Grail of infrared astronomy

Grail, Holy

1. A cup or bowl that was the subject of many legends in the Middle Ages . It was often said to have been used by Jesus at The Last Supper . The Grail was supposedly transported to Britain , where it became an object of quest for the knights of the Round Table .

Notes

By extension, a “holy grail” is any esteemed object long sought for or attained only after great endeavor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Holy Grail¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Word History and Origins

Origin of Holy Grail¹

C14 grail from Old French graal, from Medieval Latin gradālis bowl, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Rather than offering a subscription service, Holy Grail allows you to create your own curated meal box from its roster of quality meats.

From Outside Online

He is determined to use his fame and money as a reality TV host to achieve the Holy Grail.

From The Daily Beast

But one can hardly blame a young Mafioso for laying claim to what is essentially the holy grail of Mafia hits.

From The Daily Beast

But the fact remains: Losing weight has become for many of us the female holy grail.

From The Daily Beast

For Irish-Americans, finding the Ireland of that period is like finding the Holy Grail.

From The Daily Beast

The Samsung-distributed Magna Carta Holy Grail vs. the corporate-bashing Yeezus.

From The Daily Beast

In this ship was a table, and on the table, covered with a red cloth, was the Holy Grail.

From Project Gutenberg

Having made some such reference to it, the sexton Baker, an inquisitive octogenarian, wanted to know what the Holy Grail was.

From Project Gutenberg

She has a belief that yonder cup is the veritable Holy Grail, and when I suggested that it was not she grew angry.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Percival, in search of the Holy Grail, could not have met with a hotter opposition.

From Project Gutenberg

That there should dance before him for evermore an unattainable desire—the holy grail of beauty.

From Project Gutenberg