target
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.
that is or may be a target or goal: The target group consisted of college graduates who earned more than $50,000 a year.
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.
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 about 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
1Other words for target
Other words from target
- tar·get·a·ble, adjective
- tar·get·less, adjective
- un·tar·get·a·ble, adjective
- un·tar·get·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for target
/ (ˈtɑːɡɪt) /
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 objective: the 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 feelings: a 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
to make a target of
to direct or aim: to target benefits at those most in need
Origin of target
1Derived forms of target
- targetless, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with target
see on target; sitting duck (target).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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