Noun

(en noun)

Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=David Simpson

, volume=188, issue=26, page=36, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Fantasy of navigation , passage=It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].}}

A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder.

Noun

(en noun)

A result that one is attempting to achieve.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-11-02, volume=409, issue=8860, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= A shrinking slice , passage=The goal should be to strengthen workers without hamstringing firms. Growth, rather than employment protection, is the priority. More work means a stronger labour market, which would bid up employees’ slice, as it did in America in the 1990s when unemployment was at record lows.}}

In many sports, an area into which the players attempt to put an object.

The act of placing the object into the goal.

A point scored in a game as a result of placing the object into the goal.

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=April 15, author=Saj Chowdhury, work=BBC Sport

, title= Norwich 2-1 Nott'm Forest , passage=The former Forest man, who passed a late fitness test, appeared to use Guy Moussi for leverage before nodding in David Fox's free-kick at the far post - his 22nd goal of the season.}}

A noun or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb. The subject of a passive verb or the direct object of an active verb. Also called a patient, target, or undergoer.