doelbaan

Doelbaan is a Dutch term meaning literally “target lane.” It combines doel (target, goal) and baan (lane, track, road). In sports and training contexts, doelbaan denotes the specific lane or position where targets are arranged and where athletes perform. For example, a shooting range may mark several doelbanen to organize lanes for different shooters, while an archery facility may designate a doelbaan as the lane leading to the target butt.

The word is also used as a toponym. Doelbaan appears as a street name in various Dutch-speaking regions, reflecting the historical or functional idea of a road leading toward a goal or aiming point. As a toponym, it is typically part of broader street naming schemes and may be encountered in towns in the Netherlands or in Flanders (Belgium).

In literature and journalism, doelbaan can be used metaphorically to describe a planned course or objective, extending the literal sense of a line or path toward an intended end. The term thus carries both concrete, sport-oriented meanings and broader figurative usage.

See also: doel, baan, toponym.