target

¹tar·get

noun, often attributive \ˈtär-gət\

Definition of TARGET

1

: a small round shield

2

a : a mark to shoot at b : a target marked by shots fired at it c : something or someone fired at or marked for attack d : a goal to be achieved

3

a : an object of ridicule or criticism b : something or someone to be affected by an action or development

4

a : the metallic surface (as of platinum or tungsten) upon which the stream of electrons within an X-ray tube is focused and from which the X-rays are emitted b : a body, surface, or material bombarded with nuclear particles or electrons; especially : fluorescent material on which desired visual effects are produced in electronic devices (as in radar)

— off target

: not valid : inaccurate

— on target

: precisely correct or valid especially in interpreting or addressing a problem or vital issue

Examples of TARGET

1. Our target amount for the fund-raiser is $2,500.
2. They set a target date of May 31.
3. Planes struck at key military targets.
4. Tourists are often easy targets for thieves.

Origin of TARGET

Middle English, from Middle French targette, targuete, diminutive of targe light shield, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse targa shield

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TARGET

Synonyms: butt, mark, prey, sitting duck, victim

Related Words: laughingstock, mockery, pilgarlic; lightning rod; fall guy, goat, scapegoat, whipping boy

Near Antonyms: gossip, gossiper, talebearer, tattler, tattletale, troublemaker; defamer, libeler, libelist, traducer; baiter, heckler, needler, ribber, taunter, tease, teaser, tormentor (also tormenter), torturer; derider, insulter, mocker, ridiculer, scoffer, scorner; caricaturist, lampooner, parodist, satirist

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with TARGET

argot