so that

1. With the particular aim or purpose of; in order that. Please be sure to include all required documentation so that your application will be processed in a timely manner. We always take a vacation on the east coast each summer so that my kids get to see their grandparents at least once a year.

2. To such a strong degree or extent (of some quality or characteristic) that something happens or is the case as a result. Used with an adjective between "so" and "that." The vegetable is quite nutritious, but it's so pungent that many people refuse to eat it. I was waiting so long that I ended up falling asleep.

1. In order that, as in I stopped so that you could catch up.

2. With the result or consequence that, as in Mail the package now so that it will arrive on time.

3. so ... that. In such a way or to such an extent that, as in The line was so long that I could scarcely find the end of it. All three usages date from a.d. 1000 or earlier, and the first two are sometimes put simply as so, as in I stopped so you could catch up, or Mail it now so it will arrive on time.