Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

on-target

[on-tahr-git, awn-]
See more synonyms for on-target on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. correct, accurate, or adhering closely to an anticipated outcome: an on-target forecast for the weekend weather.
Show More

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

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

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. 2018
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
  3. a fixed goal or objectivethe 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 feelingsa 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
Show More
verb -gets, -geting or -geted (tr)
  1. to make a target of
  2. to direct or aimto target benefits at those most in need
Show More
Derived Formstargetless, adjective

Word Origin

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.

Show More

target

v.

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

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

target

(tär′gĭt)
n.
  1. One to be influenced or changed by an action or event.
  2. A desired goal.
  3. A usually metal part in an x-ray tube on which a beam of electrons is focused and from which x-rays are emitted.
  4. A target organ.
Show More
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.

Show More

target

see on target; sitting duck (target).

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