direct object

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

diˈrect ˈob•ject, n. [countable]

1. Grammar a word or group of words representing the person or thing on which the action of a verb is performed, or toward which it is directed:
   The pronoun it in I saw it is the direct object.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

direct′ ob′ject, 

1. Grammar a word or group of words representing the person or thing upon which the action of a verb is performed or toward which it is directed: in English, generally coming after the verb, without a preposition. In He saw it the pronoun it is the direct object of
   saw.

• 1900–05

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

direct object noun

1. a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase whose referent receives the direct action of a verb. For example, a book is the direct object in the sentence They bought Anne a book
   Compare indirect object