# goad

/ˈɡoʊd/ (US) · /ɡˈəʊd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/goad
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

a pointed stick for making animals move forward, or anything that pushes you to act.

For teachers: a pointed implement for driving livestock, extended to any stimulus that provokes action or reaction.

## Examples

- The farmer uses a goad to move the cattle.
- His rival's taunts acted as a goad, pushing him to train harder for the final race.
- The threat of closure served as a goad for reform, forcing the committee to confront inefficiencies it had ignored for years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.