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

These systems are designed to protect delicate quantum information and continue operating reliably despite errors and noise -- the holy grail of quantum information processing.

From Science Daily

“This has been one of the holy grails of remedying the Korean discount, and there’s at least a 50-50 chance of it passing this year,” he says.

From Barron's

Many experts consider fusion the holy grail of energy that could deliver enormous power in the distant future.

From The Wall Street Journal

It has gone through five iterations of models for fusion reactors, technology that is considered the holy grail of nuclear power.

From Barron's

It has gone through five iterations of models for fusion reactors, technology that is considered the holy grail of nuclear power.

From Barron's