target

American  

[tahr-git] / ˈtɑr gɪt /

noun

• targets
  plural

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)

• targets,
  present (3rd person singular)
• targeted,
  past participle,  past
• targeting
  present participle

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• targets
  plural

Participles

• targeting
  present
• targeted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• target
  simple
• targets
  simple
• have targeted
  perfect
• has targeted
  perfect
• am targeting
  progressive
• are targeting
  progressive
• is targeting
  progressive
• have been targeting
  perfect progressive
• has been targeting
  perfect progressive

Past

• targeted
  simple
• had targeted
  perfect
• was targeting
  progressive
• were targeting
  progressive
• had been targeting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will target
  simple
• will have targeted
  perfect
• will be targeting
  progressive
• will have been targeting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of target

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

Explanation

A target is something to shoot at, either real or figurative. If you're an archer, you're aiming for the bull's-eye on the target. If you're selling cars for a living, then you likely have a sales target you need to hit. You can hit a target, which is usually a good thing, or, less happily, you can be a target, such as a target of ridicule when you wear that goofy Swiss cheese hat and you aren't even from Wisconsin. As a marketing ploy, you could target Green Bay Packer season ticket holders when you decide to unload that hat. You might find a buyer among them, someone who wouldn't worry about being a target for those who object to silly hats.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

target targets targeted targeting

The target is about 70% ahead of current levels near $934.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

The central bank’s mandate is to set the target for the overnight rate at a level that achieves and maintains 2% inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

He said the visa restrictions would target those who promote "race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa."

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

His price target of $1,600 is based on a price-to-earnings multiple of 9x 2027 estimates, notably above the current ratio of 5.77x.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

Once the grid was installed, the first target of exploration was the ship itself.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

About midway through the 2025 season, the Rams began regularly deploying as many as three tight ends at a time — and using them as targets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

A DfT spokesperson said any expansion would need to align with the country's climate targets, but added it "could deliver around £40bn to the economy and support up to 60,000 local jobs".

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

Industry executives say the co-branding targets adult nostalgia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

So-called top-down strategist forecasts are not as extensively tracked as Wall Street price targets on individual companies.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

“Just a bit,” she said, and held her ground as he gathered their knives from the two targets and handed hers back.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

The companies said Wednesday that their collaboration aims to address key challenges in the drug-discovery process by developing targeted solutions and workflows.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Rubio did not immediately name any individuals targeted by the restrictions.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

That is a far cry from other digital ad businesses that offer highly targeted ads that brands only pay for when users click through.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Along with SpaceX, the companies dominate the AI leaderboards, but more competition could threaten their status and targeted public valuations.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

And then I thought he targeted just me and Mae.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Turki al-Maliki said the targeting of Mecca, which is the home of Islam's most sacred shrine and the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage, was a "disgraceful act".

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthis accused the rebels on Wednesday of targeting Islam's holy city Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and deepening the conflict roiling the region.

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

The family also addressed “disturbing” social media posts targeting the blogger for his past behavior bullying celebrities through his coverage, and reminded the public that Hilton’s three children came close to losing their father.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

Strategists led by Ohsung Kwon said the downgrade comes even as the bank is growing more optimistic on earnings per share — targeting $425 next year for S&P 500 companies and $460 in 2028.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

He was blinking hard now, like he could barely see, and I realized he was targeting by the sound of my voice.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• aim
• goal
• mark
• object
• objective