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

Under former President Barack Obama, she called for escalating the U.S. war on terror, accusing the president of failing to target extremist rebel factions in Syria.

From Salon

"Getting back to skiing without pain has been an incredible journey," said Vonn who may look to target a place on the US team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

From BBC

Musk hinted at another possible target in an X posting this week, asking if tax dollars should go to National Public Radio.

From Los Angeles Times

He added: “The displaced came as guests and we welcome them. But if there is someone stranger here, whoever he is - it might be my own child and I’m not aware of him being in Hezbollah - and they target him, and children and women get killed, isn’t that pitiful?”

From BBC

“We will target everything from car affordability to housing affordability to insurance costs to supply chain issues,” Trump has said.

From BBC

Related Words

• aim
• goal
• mark
• object
• objective