View synonyms for target

target

[ tahr-git ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.
Synonyms: purpose, end, aim
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.
1. the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
2. 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.

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

target

/ ˈtɑːɡɪt /

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

Origin of target¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun, from Middle French targuete, variant of targete “small shield” targe, -et

Origin of target¹

C14: from Old French targette a little shield, from Old French targe

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.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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