meginmarkmiðinu

Meginmarkmiðinu is the definite singular form of the Icelandic noun meginmarkmið, meaning the main objective. It is used in formal Icelandic to refer to the central aim of a program, policy, project, or evaluation.

In planning and evaluation, meginmarkmiðið serves as an anchor for developing sub-goals (undirmarkmið), indicators, budgets, and timelines. The definite form meginmarkmiðinu appears in sentences where the noun is definite, for example after a preposition or as a predicate complement, such as phrases like í meginmarkmiðinu or í þessum kafla meginmarkmiðinu.

Etymology and form: meginmarkmið is composed of megin- (main) and markmið (goal, objective). The word can take different definite endings depending on case and syntactic position; meginmarkmiðinu is one specific definite form used in certain contexts. In everyday references, the indefinite form meginmarkmið is common, while the definite form is used when the main objective is already established in the discourse.

Relation to other terms: Meginmarkmið is the central objective, while undirmarkmið refers to sub-goals that support the main objective. The concept is central to strategic planning, project management, budgeting, and accountability, where clear main objectives guide decision-making and assessment.

See also: markmið, undirmarkmið, stefnumótun, árangursmælingar.