target

UK: /ˈtɑː^rgɪt/ US: /ˈtɑrgɪt/ ,(tär′git)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tar•get /ˈtɑrgɪt/   n. [countable]

1. an object, usually marked with ringed circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
2. any object fired at.
3. a goal to be reached;
   aim:
   a target of $25,000 for the drive.
4. one who is the object of abuse, scorn, etc.:
   a target of abuse.

adj. [before a noun]

5. of or relating to a target or goal:
   a target date.

v. [~ + object]

6. to use or set up as a target:
   The pilots targeted the oil refineries for their first bombing run.
7. to direct toward a target:
   The pilots targeted their bombs on the oil refineries.
8. to make a target of, as for attack or abuse:
   The comedian targeted his wife for his humor.

Idioms

9. Idioms on target, accurate or correct;
   precisely right:
   He was on target with his predictions for the economy.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tar•get  (tär′git), n. 

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.
5. an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.;
   butt.
6. Sport [Fencing.] the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
7. Rail Transport a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.
8. [Survey.]
   • Surveying the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
   • Surveying any marker on which sights are taken.
9. Heraldry a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier;
   buckler.
10. 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.

adj. 

11. that is or may be a target or goal:
    The target group consisted of college graduates who earned more than $50,000 a year.

v.t. 

12. to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
13. to direct toward a target:
    The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.
14. to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.
15. target on or in on, to establish or use as a target or goal:
    The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.

• Middle French targuete, variant of targete small shield. See targe, -et
• Middle English (noun, nominal) 1350–1400

tar′get•a•ble, adj. 
tar′get•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 4. aim, end, purpose.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

target / ˈtɑːɡɪt/ 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
3. any point or area aimed at; the object of an attack or a takeover bid
4. (as modifier): target area, target company
5. a fixed goal or objective
6. a person or thing at which an action or remark is directed or the object of a person's feelings
7. a joint of lamb consisting of the breast and neck
8. (formerly) a small round shield
9. a substance, object, or system subjected to bombardment by electrons or other particles, or to irradiation
10. an electrode in a television camera tube whose surface, on which image information is stored, is scanned by the electron beam
11. an object to be detected by the reflection of a radar or sonar signal, etc

verb ( -gets, -geting, -geted)(transitive)

1. to make a target of
2. to direct or aim: to target benefits at those most in need

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French targette a little shield, from Old French targe