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View synonyms for

target

[tahr-git]

noun

  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: , ,
  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.



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)

  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. to establish or use as a target or goal.

    The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.

target

/ ˈɑːɡɪ /

noun

    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 area

      target company

  1. a fixed goal or objective

    the target for the appeal is £10000

  2. 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

  3. a joint of lamb consisting of the breast and neck

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

  5. (formerly) a small round shield

  6. 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

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

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

“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

verb

  1. to make a target of

  2. to direct or aim

    to target benefits at those most in need

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • targetable adjective
  • targetless adjective
  • untargetable adjective
  • untargeted adjective
  • ˈٲٱ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of target1

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

Origin of target1

C14: from Old French targette a little shield, from Old French targe
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Idioms and Phrases

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.

see on target; sitting duck (target).
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Mexico defeats the Dominican Republic 3-2 in its Gold Cup opener, but fans in attendance were on edge because of recent ICE raids targeting the Latino community.

From

Stella said after qualifying that Norris had "just tried too hard", and pointed out that on his final lap he was on target for pole before brushing the wall at Turn Seven.

From

But Israel has also widened the scope of its strikes to hit economic targets, turning vital parts of Iran’s fossil fuel infrastructure into infernos.

From

Auckland were perhaps fortunate not to lose by a heavier margin as Bayern peppered their goal with 31 attempts – including 17 on target – while enjoying 72% of possession.

From

Israel first launched an attack on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and other targets on Friday.

From

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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.

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