ˌmodal ˈverb (also modal) noun [countable] technical
one of these verb forms: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to, used to, need, had better, and dare. They are all used with other verbs to express ideas such as possibility, permission, or intention ⇒ auxiliary verb

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲