object

noun ob·ject \ ˈäb-jikt , -(ˌ)jekt \

Definition of object

1 a :something material that may be perceived by the senses

I see an object in the distance.

b :something that when viewed stirs a particular emotion (such as pity)

Look on the tragic loading of this bed … the object poisons sight; let it be hid.
—William Shakespeare

2 a :something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed

an object for study

the object of my affection

delicately carved art objects

b :something physical that is perceived by an individual and becomes an agent for psychological identification

The mother is the primary object of the child.

3 a :the goal or end of an effort or activity :purpose, objective

Their object is to investigate the matter thoroughly.

The object of the game is to score the most points.

b :a cause for attention or concern

Money is no object.

4 :a thing that forms an element of or constitutes the subject matter of an investigation or science

objects of study

5 a :a noun or noun equivalent (such as a pronoun, gerund, or clause) denoting the goal or result of the action of a verb (such as ball in I hit the ball)

b :a noun or noun equivalent in a prepositional phrase (such as table in on the table)

6 a :a data structure in object-oriented programming that can contain functions (see ¹function 7) as well as data, variables, and other data structures

b :a discrete entity (such as a window or icon) in computer graphics (see ²graphic 2b) that can be manipulated independently of other such entities

—

objectless

play \ˈäb-jikt-ləs, -(ˌ)jekt-\ adjective

—

objectlessness

noun

See object defined for English-language learners

See object defined for kids

Examples of object in a Sentence

There were three objects in the box: a comb, a pen, and a button.
His object is to determine how much the business will cost to operate.

Recent Examples of object from the Web

Podnar shoots dry ice pellets, which sit at a frosty temperature of around negative minus-180-degrees Fahrenheit, at the object's surface.

— victoria dawson, Smithsonian, "Conservation of a Pair of Saint-Gaudens Goes al Fresco at the Freer," 18 July 2017
Garrard is one of more than 1,200 professional and amateur performers in town at the Galt House Hotel sharing their favorite tricks at workshops, networking and shopping a magicians bazaar filled with magic playing cards, vanishing objects and more.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Better than pulling a rabbit out of a hat, reporter disappears after entering a box," 13 July 2017
In a world run by blockchains, decentralisation could be pushed even further, to include objects.

— The Economist, "If blockchains ran the worldDisrupting the trust business," 13 July 2017
The star's mistaken classification occurred in part because it was detected by transit—the general method for finding exoplanets—where one body passes in front of another and dims some of the light from the background object.

— john wenz, Popular Mechanics, "This Is the Smallest Star Ever Discovered," 11 July 2017
In addition to paying a $3 million fine, the Justice Department stipulated that Hobby Lobby would forfeit the objects.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "A Black Deliveryman Hasn’t Been Able To Return To Work After Being Given a Homemade Noose By a Butcher," 6 July 2017
One of the Israeli dealers sent Hobby Lobby a statement of provenance, claiming that the objects were legally acquired through purchases made in the 1960s.

— emma green, The Atlantic, "Hobby Lobby Purchased Thousands of Ancient Artifacts Smuggled Out of Iraq," 5 July 2017
It was long believed that pressure melting and frictional heating in some combination released liquid water at the surface of the ice, so that sharp or even smooth objects could glide across.

— c. claiborne ray, New York Times, "The Science Behind ‘Sticky’ Ice," 3 July 2017
Gaines allegedly threw a blanket over the other man's head and then attacked him with an unknown object, the prosecutor said.

— clifford ward, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "Man being held in DuPage County jail is accused of slashing throat of fellow inmate," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'object.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of object

Middle English, from Medieval Latin objectum, from Latin, neuter of objectus, past participle of obicere to throw in the way, present, hinder, from ob- in the way + jacere to throw — more at ob-, jet

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

object Synonyms

Synonyms

thing

Related Words

article, item, piece; being, entity, substance; commodity, good, ware; dingus, doohickey, thingamabob, thingamajig (or thingumajig), thingummy, whatchamacallit, whatnot; accessory (also accessary), accompaniment, bauble, curio; gaud, gewgaw (also geegaw), knickknack (also nicknack), novelty, ornamental, spangle, token, trinket

Near Antonyms

nonentity

Synonym Discussion of object

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

object

verb ob·ject \ əb-ˈjekt \

Definition of object

transitive verb

:to put forth in opposition or as an objection

objected that the statement was misleading

intransitive verb

1 :to oppose something firmly and usually with words or arguments

2 :to feel distaste for something

—

objector

play \əb-ˈjek-tər\ noun

See object defined for English-language learners

Examples of object in a Sentence

No one objected when the paintings were removed.
“We can't buy the chair,” he objected. “It won't fit in the car.”

Recent Examples of object from the Web

Attendees at the meeting objected to the board’s decision to have questions for the developer’s representative Peter Stone given to him prior to the meeting, and read during the meeting by a county official.

— kate magill, Laurel Leader, "Savage Mill development debate continues," 30 Aug. 2017
District 4 commissioner Cindy Jones Mills had objected to the pay raise plan and suggested during the meeting that coercion had been applied to move members toward approving the proposal.

— mark woolsey, ajc, "Forsyth County commissioners nix raise idea," 23 Aug. 2017
Velten, who works for the campus radio station, said his fellow students didn’t seem to object to the way Smith was dressed for class.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Concealed carry of guns is now allowed on campus, so this teacher showed up in armor," 9 Aug. 2017
BlueIndy must provide a 16-day public notice before building new stations, a time frame that allows residents and businesses to object.

— james briggs, Indianapolis Star, "After a rocky start, BlueIndy is making peace and winning over customers," 8 Aug. 2017
An entire century lapsed before anyone objected to the inevitable discrepancy between Down’s ethnic idiot and the East-Central Asian group native to the nation of Mongolia.

— Longreads, "My Mongolian Spot," 1 Aug. 2017
Johnson & Johnson consistently and repeatedly objected to the lack of jurisdiction, argued that the trials should not go forward and urged a stay of proceedings because there was no jurisdiction.

— kent faulk, AL.com, "SCOTUS ruling puts $72 million talcum powder verdict for family of Tarrant woman in jeopardy," 26 June 2017
His family objected to an autopsy, so the Hamilton County coroner's office conducted only an external examination of his body and is still trying to determine his cause of death.

— CBS News, "Funeral for Otto Warmbier held in Ohio," 22 June 2017
After residents objected to having a school on the busy commercial intersection, North was built at 199th and Harlem, and is now closed as the district faces financial difficulties and declining enrollment.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "LW agrees to sell Tinley Park land," 20 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of object

Middle English, from Latin objectus, past participle of obicere to throw in the way, object

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

object Synonyms

Synonyms

demur, except, expostulate, kick, protest, remonstrate, take exception, take issue

Related Words

cavil, quibble; challenge, dare, defy, fight; conflict, debate, dispute, hassle, quarrel, squabble, wrangle; beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, keen, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl; balk, gag, stick; censure, criticize, denounce; disobey, rebel, withstand; demonstrate

Near Antonyms

approve, sanction; accept; accede, acquiesce, agree, assent; adhere, comply, conform, follow, mind, obey, observe; advocate, champion, defend, maintain, support, sustain, uphold; applaud, cheer, commend

object

adjective \ ˈäb-jikt , -(ˌ)jekt \

Definition of object

:of, relating to, or being object code

an object file

Recent Examples of object from the Web

Object models are better left to viewing on-screen with textures intact.

— bill loguidice, Ars Technica, "The pitfalls and potential of inexpensive 3D scanning solutions," 17 June 2017
In other words, a hot item one season may be object non grata the next.

— ana veciana-suarez, miamiherald, "Remember your dad’s dark, high socks and sandals? They’re back — kind of.," 12 June 2017
Two genial Texans, Les Thomas and Gary Ford, gave us object lessons in marrying people to place.

— Southern Living, "Meet the Family," 1 May 2017
And both dÃ©cor and garments remain object lessons in multiple functionality: The gate becomes a table, then a tower, then a boat; the Siren's cloak becomes a sail, and much more.

— alastair macaulay, New York Times, "Review: For Bite-Size Balanchine, Frisson Is in the Details," 18 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of object

1959

OBJECT Defined for English Language Learners

object

noun

Definition of object for English Language Learners

: a thing that you can see and touch and that is not alive
: someone or something that makes you feel a specified emotion
: someone or something that your attention or interest is directed toward

object

verb

Definition of object for English Language Learners

: to disagree with something or oppose something
: to say (something that explains why you oppose something or disagree)

OBJECT Defined for Kids

object

noun ob·ject \ ˈäb-jikt \

Definition of object for Students

1 :something that may be seen or felt

Tables and chairs are objects.

2 :purpose, aim

The object is to raise money.

3 :something that arouses feelings in an observer

That diamond is the object of their envy.

4 :a noun or a term behaving like a noun that receives the action of a verb or completes the meaning of a preposition

object

verb ob·ject \ əb-ˈjekt \

Definition of object for Students

objected; objecting

1 :to offer or mention as a reason for a feeling of disapproval

She objected that the price was too high.

2 :to oppose something firmly and usually with words

Surely her mother would not object to a nutritious hard-boiled egg.
—Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby

Synonym Discussion of object

object and protest mean to oppose something by arguing against it. object is used of a person's great dislike or hatred.

- I object to being called a liar.

protest is used for the act of presenting objections in speech, writing, or in an organized, public demonstration.

- There were several groups protesting the building of the airport.

Medical Dictionary

object

noun ob·ject \ ˈäb-(ˌ)jekt, -jikt \

medical Definition of object

1 :something material that may be perceived by the senses

2 :something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed

Law Dictionary

object

noun ob·ject \ ˈäb-jikt \

legal Definition of object

1 :something toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed — see also natural object

2 :the purpose or goal of something; especially, in the civil law of Louisiana :the purpose for which a contract or obligation is formed

object

transitive verb ob·ject \ əb-ˈjekt \

legal Definition of object

:to state in opposition or as an objection

objected that the evidence was inadmissible

intransitive verb

:to state opposition especially to something in a judicial proceeding

objected to the testimony on the ground that it was hearsay

Learn More about object

See words that rhyme with object Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for object Spanish Central: Translation of object Nglish: Translation of object for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of object for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about object

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object

Definition of object

objectless

objectlessness

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Origin and Etymology of object

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Synonyms

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object

Definition of object

objector

Examples of object in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of object

object Synonyms

Synonyms

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object

Definition of object

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OBJECT Defined for English Language Learners

object

Definition of object for English Language Learners

object

Definition of object for English Language Learners

OBJECT Defined for Kids

object

Definition of object for Students

object

Definition of object for Students

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Medical Dictionary

object

medical Definition of object

Law Dictionary

object

legal Definition of object

object

legal Definition of object

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