noun

• 1the Grail or the Holy Grail(in medieval legend) the cup or platter used by Christ at the Last Supper, and in which Joseph of Arimathea received Christ's blood at the Cross. Quests for it undertaken by medieval knights are described in versions of the Arthurian legends written from the early 13th century onward.

  ‘Late in the twelfth century stories of the Holy Grail began to be written in France.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Arthur uses the Grail to help his knights focus on something good, rather than fighting amongst themselves.’
  • ‘And what is King Arthur without Excalibur and the quest for the Holy Grail?’
  • ‘The team get very excited by the tale of Sir Lancelot and the Quest for the Holy Grail and decide to relive his adventures.’
  • ‘It tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail.’
  • ‘In the time of Arthur, the quest for the Grail was the highest spiritual pursuit.’
  • ‘I always found the search for the Holy Grail - this cup that was used at the Last Supper - rather ludicrous.’
  • ‘It has been suggested an underground vault contains the Holy Grail, a cup from which Christ drank, and the Ark of the Covenant.’
  • ‘Perhaps it was an illusion, or a myth, like the Holy Grail, but she searching for it all the same.’
  • ‘The myth of the Holy Grail must be one of the most enduring of all human stories.’
  • ‘The part I am reading right now is about how Perceval winds up at the castle of the Fisher King, and sees the procession with the maiden carrying the Grail, but doesn't say anything or ask any questions.’
  • ‘The Grail contained a supremely powerful force, but before it could pass completely into his possession, he would have to suffer a final ordeal.’
  • ‘The Grail itself, which began as the dish from which Jesus are at the Last Supper, and in which his blood was collected at the Crucifixion, has become the chalice of the Last Supper, and by implication the forerunner of the chalice of the Mass.’

  Synonyms

  ambition, aspiration, hope

• 2

  (also holy grail)

  A thing that is eagerly pursued or sought after.

  ‘a cure for the common cold is the medical holy grail’

  More example sentences

  • ‘youth culture became the grail of broadcasting’
  • ‘Rather than pursuing the holy grail of million-selling titles, the company is focused on achieving annual profitability.’
  • ‘Everyone was pursuing the holy grail of the young and trendy listener with the disposable income.’
  • ‘It is the best hope we have of this much sought after holy grail - peace in our time.’
  • ‘Japan, as the most style-conscious market on the planet, represents the holy grail in fashion terms.’
  • ‘The holy grail for any magazine is hitting your target market bang on the nail.’
  • ‘The holy grail for all tobacco companies is the ‘safe cigarette’.’
  • ‘Almost all of us are trying to find a third way, the holy grail of a work/life balance which means having a stimulating career and a family who still remember your name.’
  • ‘The last is culture - the holy grail of a community, where individuals feel strong levels of identification with both place and people.’
  • ‘At the heart of the fight between the two big parties is the holy grail of the public sector, those mystical ‘savings’.’
  • ‘In his stage show Ken tries to find out the meaning of life and continues his search for the holy grail of comedy, the state of mind in which everything is funny.’
  • ‘Neither doctor manages to find the holy grail of a cure, but their quest lays bare the foundations of contemporary thinking on the subject.’
  • ‘Three Texan brothers have discovered the holy grail of paint jobs - one that can change colour completely at the flick of a switch.’
  • ‘A. It is the holy grail of modern menswear - an easy way of dressing that allows you to be comfortable and presentable at the same time.’
  • ‘After years of searching, I have found my holy grail: the ultimate pub quiz.’
  • ‘Getting beyond the first stage of a major tournament is the holy grail.’
  • ‘The holy grail for retail developers is turning shopping into a leisure pursuit.’
  • ‘The upshot is that there is no obvious genetic holy grail defining what it means to be human.’
  • ‘The fabled holy grail of gaming is letting the player do whatever they want - full interactivity.’
  • ‘Getting something for nothing is the holy grail of the consumer.’
  • ‘It promises travellers the holy grail of air travel - no more layovers.’

  Synonyms

  ambition, aspiration, hope