target language

American  

noun

1. the language into which a text is to be translated from another language.

2. a language, especially a foreign language, that one is in the process of learning.

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target language British  

noun

1. the language into which a text, document, etc, is translated

2. a language that is being or is to be learnt

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Etymology

Origin of target language

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Many language learners will tell you that conversing with native speakers is an essential part of learning your target language.

From The Verge • Feb. 15, 2022

If nothing else, it’s a good way to keep your mind on your target language throughout the day and sneak in some practice where you can.

From The Verge • Feb. 15, 2022

But today, the preferred model is a less culturally imperialistic one: finding bilingual locals already fluent in the target language and working with them to produce a new Bible.

From Slate • May 11, 2018

Usually, half the day is taught in English and half in the target language, e.g.,

From New York Times • Dec. 26, 2014

However, the task of translating a poem is much more than that of taking the words of the source language and replacing them with equivalent words from the target language.

From Bearslayer A free translation from the unrhymed Latvian into English heroic verse by Cropley, Arthur