target
Americannoun
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an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
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any object used for this purpose.
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anything fired at.
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a goal to be reached.
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an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.
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Fencing. the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
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a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.
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Surveying.
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the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
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any marker on which sights are taken.
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a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.
adjective
verb (used with object)
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to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
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to direct toward a target.
The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.
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to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.
verb phrase
idioms
noun
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an object or area at which an archer or marksman aims, usually a round flat surface marked with concentric rings
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( as modifier )
target practice
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any point or area aimed at; the object of an attack or a takeover bid
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( as modifier )
target area
target company
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a fixed goal or objective
the target for the appeal is £10 000
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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
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a joint of lamb consisting of the breast and neck
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surveying a marker on which sights are taken, such as the sliding marker on a levelling staff
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(formerly) a small round shield
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physics electronics
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a substance, object, or system subjected to bombardment by electrons or other particles, or to irradiation
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an electrode in a television camera tube whose surface, on which image information is stored, is scanned by the electron beam
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electronics an object to be detected by the reflection of a radar or sonar signal, etc
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on the correct course to meet a target or objective
verb
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to make a target of
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to direct or aim
to target benefits at those most in need
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a report on Monday, Fitch warned of the risk that Paramount’s financial and leverage targets will slip, and downgraded the group’s credit rating to BB+ from BBB-, and placed it on rating watch negative.
The surge in prices comes as key energy facilities emerge as targets in the war.
From Barron's
Since the start of the war, the United States has "intercepted hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting US forces, our partners and regional stability," General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, said Monday.
From Barron's
Embassy in Kuwait and Qatar’s key power station and main liquefied-natural-gas plant were struck by Iranian drones, among other targets.
Federal authorities have not identified the target of the investigation, nor accused anyone of wrongdoing.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
