goalpost

noun

goal·​post ˈgōl-ˌpōst 

: one of usually two vertical posts that with or without a crossbar constitute the goal in various games

Examples of goalpost in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Churchill kept moving the goalposts on when the transfer had to take place. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

The industry may continue moving goalposts for Black creatives, but Oyelowo remembers his why: The little boy who first fell in love with acting — and the ones coming behind him. —Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Those standards have traditionally been seen as emissions goalposts for automakers, and there are fines for noncompliance. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Adults sit around chatting and kids shoot balls at inflatable goalposts local while rock and flamenco groups provide entertainment. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for goalpost

• almost
• engrossed
• foremost
• hindmost
• impost
• inmost
• lamppost
• leftmost
• necrosed
• outpost
• pancoast
• rightmost

Kids Definition

goalpost

noun

goal·​post ˈgōl-ˌpōst 

: one of two upright posts that serve as the goal in various games