nontarget

[non-tahr-git]

adjective

1. not being the subject or goal of a particular action, program, maneuver, or the like; not designated for use, observation, attack, etc.

Other Word Forms

• nontargetable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nontarget¹

First recorded in 1940–45; non- + target

Example Sentences

In the world of bug control, there’s a term for accidental victims: nontarget insects.

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“The nontarget insects have not been studied well enough,” said Doug Tallamy, a professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware and a leader in the growing effort to support ecosystems by planting native species in yards.

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“We need some sort of outside check to make sure that that the industry is thinking about risks to nontarget organisms and humans when it comes to pesticidal compounds. I feel better with the EPA looking at this.”

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Since 2015, the zoo, which breeds condors for the wild population, has worked to reduce lead exposure in "nontarget" wildlife, primarily raptors.

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Among the potential problems they explored were the possibility that the gene drive could spread to valued nontarget species, leading a decline in their density or in the health of ecosystem services to which they contribute.

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