(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
b.
(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
Word origin
C14 grail from Old French graal, from Medieval Latin gradālis bowl, of unknown origin
Holy Grail in American English
1.
Grail (sense 1)
2. [oftenh- g-]
any ultimate, but elusive, goal pursued as in a quest
Examples of 'Holy Grail' in a sentence
Holy Grail
`We'll find it, wherever it is,' promised Joan fiercely, as if this mission was the search for the Holy Grail.
Cathy Kelly JUST BETWEEN US (2002)
Through a mouthful of pear and custard, `We've decided to make you a knight of the Holy Grail ," Morris said.
Ross, Melville LOHENGRIN (2002)
For Ellington enthusiasts, those acetate pressings are our Loch Ness Monster, our Holy Grail.
Alex George LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)
Right here they were dealing with the Ascot Gold Cup, the Holy Grail for the stamina racehorse.