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definitions

on-target

[on-tahr-git, awn-]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR on-target ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

correct, accurate, or adhering closely to an anticipated outcome: an on-target forecast for the weekend weather.

target

[tahr-git]

noun

an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
any object used for this purpose.
anything fired at.
a goal to be reached.
an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.
Fencing. the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.
Surveying.
  1. the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
  2. any marker on which sights are taken.
a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.

adjective

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)

to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
to direct toward a target: The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.
to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.

Verb Phrases

target (in) on, to establish or use as a target or goal: The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.

Origin of target

1350–1400; Middle English (noun) < Middle French targuete, variant of targete small shield. See targe, -et
Related formstar·get·a·ble, adjectivetar·get·less, adjectiveun·tar·get·a·ble, adjectiveun·tar·get·ed, adjective

Synonyms for target

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR target ON THESAURUS.COM
4. aim, end, purpose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for on target

precise, appropriate, ideal, proper, suitable, exact, true, germane, applicable, related, admissible, opportune, accurate, usual, formal, limited, different, definitive, distinct, definite
British Dictionary definitions for on target

target

noun

  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
  1. any point or area aimed at; the object of an attack or a takeover bid
  2. (as modifier)target area; target company
a fixed goal or objectivethe target for the appeal is £10 000
a person or thing at which an action or remark is directed or the object of a person's feelingsa target for the teacher's sarcasm
a joint of lamb consisting of the breast and neck
surveying a marker on which sights are taken, such as the sliding marker on a levelling staff
(formerly) a small round shield
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
electronics an object to be detected by the reflection of a radar or sonar signal, etc
on target on the correct course to meet a target or objective

verb -gets, -geting or -geted (tr)

to make a target of
to direct or aimto target benefits at those most in need
Derived Formstargetless, adjective

Word Origin for target

C14: from Old French targette a little shield, from Old French targe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for on target

target

n.

c.1400, "shield," diminutive of late Old English targe, from Old French targe "light shield," from Frankish *targa "shield" (cf. Old High German zarga "edging, border," German zarge, Old English targe, Old Norse targa "shield"), from Proto-Germanic *targo "border, edge." Meaning "object to be aimed at in shooting" first recorded 1757, originally in archery. Target audience is by 1951, early reference is to Cold War psychological warfare.

target

v.

"to use as a target," 1837, from target (n.). Related: Targeted; targeting.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
on target in Medicine

target

[tär′gĭt]

n.

One to be influenced or changed by an action or event.
A desired goal.
A usually metal part in an x-ray tube on which a beam of electrons is focused and from which x-rays are emitted.
A target organ.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with on target

on target

Completely accurate, wholly valid, as in Our cost estimates were right on target, or His criticisms were on target. This seemingly old expression dates only from the mid-1900s, and the colloquial use of target for a goal one wishes to achieve dates from about 1940.

target

see on target; sitting duck (target).

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.