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

Williams said he expects inflation will slow to just above the Fed’s 2% target next year.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

UBS raises its target on BHP to A$61/share from A$59/share prior.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

FuelCell Energy stock rose after Oppenheimer initiated coverage with the equivalent of a Buy rating and a price target that represents 49% upside.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

Both are key to his $900 long-term price target for SpaceX’s stock — as well as his $200 target for the end of the year.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

Alvarez fired his rockets as he sped past the target, then began banking to come around again.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

As a result, the bank raises share-price targets on miners including BHP, Rio Tinto, Vale and Fortescue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

Urolithin A targets a specific amino acid on the protein, activating a pathway resulting in cardiovascular benefits.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

“We expect investor focus to shift toward the durability of any long-term targets presented under interim leadership and the timeline for a permanent CEO appointment,” Blakey wrote.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

The bill, signed by Newsom on Friday, targets animals who are considered “evidence” in a criminal case, according to Haney’s spokesperson.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

Calvin says it is because they have two targets now.

From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor

The lower court had said people targeted with deportation must be given effective notice ahead of time about where they are being sent to allow them to raise concerns about potential persecution.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

Jersey's government has released its budget for 2027 to 2030, with a number of targeted measures designed to help families with the cost of living.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

It is a strategy that hurt Kroger’s leverage with suppliers but gave it flexibility to offer targeted sales to shoppers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

The Deutsche Bank analysts said Netflix could also use AI to personalize users’ interactions with the platform and make advertising more targeted and precise.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

I realized now why Haskel had been targeted instead of me.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Choi described two personality types, skeptics and frozen, that the group is targeting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

Hansen believes that by targeting predators, he is helping rid the world of such an entity.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

Alabama's suit was the latest in a wave of litigation targeting social media companies across the United States over the harm their apps allegedly cause young users.

From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026

Under the exclusive deal announced late Thursday, Novo has licensed Nanexa’s technology in up to five development programs covering different drug administration frequencies, with the companies targeting monthly and quarterly administration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Terrified that the Germans or the Japanese might be targeting the United States mainland, a front-page headline in the Los Angeles Times blared on July 27, “City Hunting for Source of Gas Attack.”

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• aim
• goal
• mark
• object
• objective