target

American  

[tahr-git] / ˈtɑr gɪt /

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.

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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. target (in) on to establish or use as a target or goal.

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

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.

target British  

/ 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 area

      target company

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 the correct course to meet a target or objective

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verb

1. to make a target of

2. to direct or aim

   to target benefits at those most in need

target More Idioms  

1. see on target; sitting duck (target).

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Other Word Forms

• targetable adjective
• targetless adjective
• untargetable adjective
• untargeted adjective

Etymology

Origin of target

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

Example Sentences

The unlikely target: Ajinomoto, best-known for making the flavor enhancer MSG.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

At the last Holyrood election the SNP promised to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, but figures suggest it is not on track to meet the target unless housebuilding accelerates.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

ANZ economist Krystal Tan said South Korea’s headline inflation is likely to stay closer to 3% than the central bank’s 2% target through much of 2026, driven by higher oil prices and shipping costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

He raised Dow’s target to $50 and Lyondell’s to $100.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

You must concentrate so hard that you burn a hole in the target ...

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• aim
• goal
• mark
• object
• objective