Holy Grail

American  

[hoh-lee greyl] / ˈhoʊ li ˈgreɪl /

Or holy grail

noun

1. Arthurian Legend, Teutonic Legend. Also the Grail 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.

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Holy Grail British  

noun

1. 1. Also called: Grail.   Sangraal.  (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

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Grail, Holy Cultural  

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.

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

Etymology

Origin of Holy Grail

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Italy's Giovanni Franzoni set himself up perfectly for next month's Winter Olympics on home snow by winning Saturday's World Cup downhill in Kitzbuehel, considered the Holy Grail of alpine skiing.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

“The Manning Passing Academy is like the Holy Grail for college quarterbacks,” Mendoza said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

"The Holy Grail in forensic investigation has always been retrieving prints from fired ammunition casings," said Dr. Dempsey.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

"This is the Holy Grail of solar physics," says Prof Christopher Owen, who specialises in solar wind studies using data from the spacecraft.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2025

Genie stared at the teeth—he couldn’t really see them anymore, because they were submerged in milk—but he still stared into the glass, concentrating on not spilling it, as if he were carrying the Holy Grail.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds