target

[ tahr-git ]

/ ˈtɑr gɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR target ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.

any object used for this purpose.

anything fired at.

a goal to be reached.

an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.

Fencing. the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.

a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.

Surveying.

the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
any marker on which sights are taken.

a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.

adjective

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)

to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.

to direct toward a target: The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.

to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.

Verb Phrases

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

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compact

joined or packed together; closely and firmly united; dense; solid.

ready or inclined to fight.

not participating actively.

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Idioms for target

on target,

properly aimed or on the right course toward a target.
accurate, correct, or valid: Their description of the event was on target.
filling or meeting a requirement or expectations: The amount of supplies we took was right on target.

Origin of target

1350–1400; Middle English (noun) < Middle French targuete, variant of targete small shield. See targe, -et

SYNONYMS FOR target

4 aim, end, purpose.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR target ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM target

tar·get·a·ble, adjectivetar·get·less, adjectiveun·tar·get·a·ble, adjectiveun·tar·get·ed, adjective

Words nearby target

tardo, tardy, tare, tarentum, targe, target, target cell, target date, target gland, target language, target man

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for target

When it comes to Terrence Howard though, I am not your target.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Both high fashion and the fast, commercial fashion of Target are supposed to be about aspiration.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem|Danielle Belton|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Typically, aircraft will work in pairs where the flight lead will make an initial pass to mark a target with rockets.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He hesitates when I ask him about the target of the other missiles.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Target was established in 1962 by the Dayton brothers as a discount offshoot of their eponymous Twin Cities department store.
Best Buy Punches Back at Amazon|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What does well enough on the target at home is often quite a failure in the wear and tear of the African wilderness.
Life of Frederick Courtenay Selous, D.S.O.|J.G. Millais
You become a target for the people whom you care most to impress.
The Lady Doc|Caroline Lockhart
He wanted no ray of light to steal out into the growing darkness and make a target.
The Strength of the Pines|Edison Marshall
The Nipe moved cautiously along the alley toward the rear of the building that was his target.
Anything You Can Do ...|Gordon Randall Garrett
The enemy had begun to use gas shells, and one heavy howitzer at least made Hargicourt its target for a time.
A Company of Tanks|W. H. L. Watson

British Dictionary definitions for target

target

/ (ˈtɑːɡɪt) /

noun

an object or area at which an archer or marksman aims, usually a round flat surface marked with concentric rings
(as modifier)target practice

any point or area aimed at; the object of an attack or a takeover bid
(as modifier)target area; target company

a fixed goal or objectivethe target for the appeal is £10 000

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

a joint of lamb consisting of the breast and neck

surveying a marker on which sights are taken, such as the sliding marker on a levelling staff

(formerly) a small round shield

physics electronics

a substance, object, or system subjected to bombardment by electrons or other particles, or to irradiation
an electrode in a television camera tube whose surface, on which image information is stored, is scanned by the electron beam

electronics an object to be detected by the reflection of a radar or sonar signal, etc

on target on the correct course to meet a target or objective

verb -gets, -geting or -geted (tr)

to make a target of

to direct or aimto target benefits at those most in need

Derived forms of target

targetless, adjective

Word Origin for target

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

Medical definitions for target

target

[ tär′gĭt ]

n.

One to be influenced or changed by an action or event.

A desired goal.

A usually metal part in an x-ray tube on which a beam of electrons is focused and from which x-rays are emitted.

A target organ.

Idioms and Phrases with target

target

see on target; sitting duck (target).

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target