target

[ tahr-git ]

noun

1. an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
2. any object used for this purpose.
3. anything fired at.
4. a goal to be reached.

   Synonyms: purpose, end, aim

5. an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.
6. Fencing. the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
7. a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.
8. Surveying.
   1. the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
   2. any marker on which sights are taken.
9. a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.

adjective

1. that is or may be a target or goal:

   The target group consisted of college graduates who earned more than $50,000 a year.

verb (used with object)

1. to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
2. to direct toward a target:

   The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.

3. to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.

verb phrase

1. to establish or use as a target or goal:

   The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.

target

/ ˈtɑːɡɪt /

noun

1. 1. an object or area at which an archer or marksman aims, usually a round flat surface marked with concentric rings
   2. ( as modifier )

      target practice

2. 1. any point or area aimed at; the object of an attack or a takeover bid
   2. ( as modifier )

      target company

      target area

3. a fixed goal or objective

   the target for the appeal is £10 000

4. a person or thing at which an action or remark is directed or the object of a person's feelings

   a target for the teacher's sarcasm

5. a joint of lamb consisting of the breast and neck
6. surveying a marker on which sights are taken, such as the sliding marker on a levelling staff
7. (formerly) a small round shield
8. physics electronics
   1. a substance, object, or system subjected to bombardment by electrons or other particles, or to irradiation
   2. an electrode in a television camera tube whose surface, on which image information is stored, is scanned by the electron beam
9. electronics an object to be detected by the reflection of a radar or sonar signal, etc
10. on target
    on the correct course to meet a target or objective

verb

1. to make a target of
2. to direct or aim

   to target benefits at those most in need

Derived Forms

• ˈtargetless, adjective

Other Words From

• target·a·ble adjective
• target·less adjective
• un·target·a·ble adjective
• un·target·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of target¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun, from Middle French targuete, variant of targete “small shield” targe, -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of target¹

C14: from Old French targette a little shield, from Old French targe

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on target,
   1. properly aimed or on the right course toward a target.
   2. accurate, correct, or valid:

      Their description of the event was on target.

   3. filling or meeting a requirement or expectations:

      The amount of supplies we took was right on target.

More idioms and phrases containing target

see on target ; sitting duck (target) .

Example Sentences

LRAs are a critical component of HIV cure research due to their role in what is called "kick and kill," the idea that HIV can be reawakened and actively targeted to eliminate the viral reservoir.

From Science Daily

Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data.

From Los Angeles Times

Ofwat has new powers to prevent bonuses being funded from customer bills if the company is judged to have missed environmental or performance targets.

From BBC

Police say Sararat, dubbed Am Cyanide by Thai media, had a gambling addiction and targeted friends she owed money to, then stole their jewellery and valuables.

From BBC

The researchers note that this greater understanding of the connection between diabetes onset, obesity, and dementia may help inform targeted interventions to prevent dementia.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• aim
• goal
• mark
• object
• objective