objective

1 of 2

adjective

ob·​jec·​tive əb-ˈjek-tiv How to pronounce objective (audio)
äb-
1
a
: expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations
objective art
an objective history of the war
an objective judgment
b
of a test : limited to choices of fixed alternatives and reducing subjective factors to a minimum
Each question on the objective test requires the selection of the correct answer from among several choices.
2
a
: of, relating to, or being an object, phenomenon, or condition in the realm of sensible experience independent of individual thought and perceptible by all observers : having reality independent of the mind
objective reality
… our reveries … are significantly and repeatedly shaped by our transactions with the objective world.Marvin Reznikoff
compare subjective sense 3a
b
: involving or deriving from sense perception or experience with actual objects, conditions, or phenomena
objective awareness
objective data
c
of a symptom of disease : perceptible to persons other than the affected individual
objective arthritis
compare subjective sense 4c
d
: relating to or existing as an object of thought without consideration of independent existence
used chiefly in medieval philosophy
3
: relating to, characteristic of, or constituting the case of words that follow prepositions or transitive verbs
The pronoun her is in the objective case in the sentence "I saw her."
objectiveness noun

objective

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: something toward which effort is directed : an aim, goal, or end of action
b
: a strategic position to be attained or a purpose to be achieved by a military operation
2
: a lens or system of lenses that forms an image of an object
Choose the Right Synonym for objective

Adjective

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality.

material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side.

fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

Noun

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain.

intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

Examples of objective in a Sentence

Adjective For no matter how objective Server tries to appear in detailing the highs and lows of her 67 years—the three marriages, the numerous affairs, the binges, the nightlong cruising of low-life byways and bordellos, the mainly poor movies she was in—he cannot really hide his essential fondness for her. Peter Bogdanovich, New York Times Book Review, 23 Apr. 2006
I'm not going to read the history about it while I'm alive because I don't trust short-term history. Most historians wouldn't have voted for me, so I don't think they can write an objective history. George W. Bush, quoted in Time, 6 Sept. 2004
"I'm not really a Hollywood person," said Mr. [Clint] Eastwood, who lives mostly in Carmel. "Not that I don't like L.A., but I'm just a Northern California guy. And it's very hard to be objective about what you're doing in a town that's all consumed by the entertainment business." Bernard Weinraub, New York Times, 6 Aug. 1992
We need someone outside the company to give us an objective analysis. an objective assessment based solely upon the results of the experiment Noun The first objective of the low-intensity war was to "bleed" India so that it would cut its losses and quit. Pervez Hoodbhoy, Prospect, June 2003
The Orange Plan assumed an early Japanese capture of the Philippines, and made relief of the Philippines the main U.S. objective. David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999
The President had largely stuck to his publicly stated goals—though the objective of smashing Iraq's military machine hadn't been so clear. Elizabeth Drew, New Yorker, 6 May 1991
… their primary objective is not the enrollment of new voters but changing the party affiliation of old voters … Lawrence King, Commonweal, 9 Oct. 1970
The main objective of the class is to teach basic typing skills. She's expanding the business with the objective of improving efficiency. We've set specific objectives for each day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Before digging into the emotional subtext of this scene, there's the objective challenge of writing a song that will allow an actor to strain for a note in a way that will play realistically. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024 Those are just mostly very objective, easy-to-determine standards. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 Classical education is premised on the idea that there is objective truth, and that the purpose of school is to set kids on a path toward understanding it. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Data provides objective and quantitative information about a company's performance, customer preferences, market trends and many other important aspects of business activity. Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The driver displayed objective symptoms of alcohol and admitted to consuming alcohol. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Under the rules of stratigraphy, each interval of Earth time needs a clear, objective starting point, one that applies worldwide. Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Even if the truth or falsity of individual conjectures is a matter of objective truth, ranking their importance is a subjective, social process. Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 His multidisciplinary team of doctors – including geriatricians and neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, ethicists and lawyers – built a comprehensive, objective evaluation of the surgeon's physical and cognitive faculty. Jon Lapook, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2024
Noun
Responses are for informational purposes only and individuals should consider whether any general recommendation in these responses are suitable for their particular circumstances based on investment objectives, financial situation and needs. Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2024 And this has been his primary objective, stopping a two-state solution. CBS News, 17 Mar. 2024 Washington and Beijing have both articulated expansive national security objectives, driven in part by their perception of the other as a threat, but each country puts forward its own ideas about what security is and how to achieve it. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2024 But the governor has made clear that shifting perceptions about the prevalence of disorder is not her only objective. Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The dueling objectives highlight the complexities of de-risking from China, and indicate that efforts to reduce dependence on Beijing will require strategic choices and at times difficult tradeoffs. Mary Hui, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 That’s according to writing platform EduBirdie, which surveyed young employees about how their career objectives marry up with their financial goals. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 If its objectives are at odds with human flourishing, even in subtle ways, then, say the doomers, we’re screwed. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Technology Consultant: Advises businesses on best using technology to meet their objectives, often involving implementing new systems or tech infrastructure. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'objective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin objectīvus "considered in relation to its purpose, relating to an object of thought," from objectum "something presented to the mind, goal, aim" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at object entry 1

Noun

in sense 1 probably short for objective point "goal of a military operation"; in sense 2 noun derivative of objective, adjective, "nearest the object (of the parts of a lens in a telescope, microscope, etc.)," probably borrowed from French (in verre objectif "lens nearest the object") — more at objective entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 2d

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of objective was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near objective

Cite this Entry

“Objective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/objective. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

objective

1 of 2 adjective
ob·​jec·​tive əb-ˈjek-tiv How to pronounce objective (audio)
1
: being outside of the mind and independent of it
objective reality
2
: being or belonging to the case of a noun or pronoun that is an object of a transitive verb or a preposition
3
: dealing with facts without letting one's feelings interfere with them
an objective judgment
objectively adverb
objectivity noun

objective

2 of 2 noun
1
: a lens or system of lenses (as in a microscope) that forms an image of an object
2
: a goal or end of action

Medical Definition

objective

1 of 2 adjective
ob·​jec·​tive əb-ˈjek-tiv, äb- How to pronounce objective (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being an object, phenomenon, or condition in the realm of sensible experience independent of individual thought and perceptible by all observers
objective reality
2
: perceptible to persons other than the affected individual
an objective symptom of disease
compare subjective sense 2b
objectively adverb

objective

2 of 2 noun
1
: a lens or system of lenses that forms an image of an object
2
: something toward which effort is directed

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