often attributive
1
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
2
a
: an object of ridicule or criticism
b
: something or someone to be affected by an action or development
c
US law
: a person against whom a federal prosecutor has substantial evidence of involvement in criminal activity and who the prosecutor believes is likely to be indicted by a grand jury
The full extent of Iacobelli's ongoing cooperation is sealed in federal court, but prosecutors have identified additional targets and Iacobelli could spend less time in prison if his help proves substantial.—
Robert Snell
Robert Snell3
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)
4
: a small round shield
targeted; targeting; targets
1
: to make a target of
targeted her for promotion
especially
: to set as a goal
2
: to direct or use toward a target
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
Our target amount for the fund-raiser is $2,500.
They set a target date of May 31.
Planes struck at key military targets.
Tourists are often easy targets for thieves.
Verb
drugs that target cancer cells
Recent Examples on the WebShawn Tully, Fortune, 17 May 2023
Air defenders concentrating on one type of target might miss another one coming at a different speed and altitude from an entirely different direction.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 16 May 2023
Disney’s lofty subscriber growth and profitability targets for its streaming service have drawn a lawsuit from investors who claim that the entertainment giant misled them about the extent of its losses.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2023
The Ukrainians claim that the bombs are phosphorus munitions, which are banned under international law when used against civilians but not when used against military targets, and can burn at temperatures over 1,400 Fahrenheit.
—Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 14 May 2023
Israel said the airstrikes were in response to a previous burst of rocket fire the previous week and that its attacks have been focused on Islamic Jihad targets.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 13 May 2023
The Israeli military said that among its targets this week were militant leaders responsible for attacks against Israelis in recent months, including the barrage of rockets after Adnan’s death.
—Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 13 May 2023
Teixeira raised his weapon, aimed at an unseen target and fired 10 times in rapid succession, emptying the magazine of bullets.
—Shane Harris, Samuel Oakford and Chris Dehghanpoor, Anchorage Daily News, 13 May 2023
The new limits on asylum target migrants who cross illegally between federal southwest border check points.
—Quinn Owen, ABC News, 12 May 2023
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 Apr. 2023
Dozens of world leaders were later found to have been targeted.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2023
Critics see it as a way to unfairly target drag performances.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2023
Russia was forecasted to fare much worse in the early days of the war, but its economy was temporarily spared by a surge in oil and natural gas prices, which had yet to be targeted by Western sanctions.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2023
More pressing on her agenda will be the accountability of decentralized autonomous organizations, a hot-button topic that came into the limelight with the CFTC’s decision last year to target members of one such group, Ooki DAO.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 12 Apr. 2023
The Mustangs already planned to target scoring guards in the transfer portal, but the additions of Harris and Anglin became more important on Wednesday when Zhuric Phelps, SMU’s leading scorer last season, declared for the NBA Draft.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 12 Apr. 2023
The Florida legislature, in a bill that could pass this week, plans to target land purchases made by the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign authoritarian regimes.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 11 Apr. 2023
Ukrainian officials suspect that Russian missileers, assisted by electrical engineers and detailed maps of the Ukrainian grid, knew precisely what to target.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2023
See More
Noun
Behind the wheel was their target, and one of the most recognizable figures on the planet.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 17 May 2023
Air defenders concentrating on one type of target might miss another one coming at a different speed and altitude from an entirely different direction.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 16 May 2023
Disney’s lofty subscriber growth and profitability targets for its streaming service have drawn a lawsuit from investors who claim that the entertainment giant misled them about the extent of its losses.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2023
The Ukrainians claim that the bombs are phosphorus munitions, which are banned under international law when used against civilians but not when used against military targets, and can burn at temperatures over 1,400 Fahrenheit.
—Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 14 May 2023
Israel said the airstrikes were in response to a previous burst of rocket fire the previous week and that its attacks have been focused on Islamic Jihad targets.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 13 May 2023
The Israeli military said that among its targets this week were militant leaders responsible for attacks against Israelis in recent months, including the barrage of rockets after Adnan’s death.
—Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 13 May 2023
Teixeira raised his weapon, aimed at an unseen target and fired 10 times in rapid succession, emptying the magazine of bullets.
—Shane Harris, Samuel Oakford and Chris Dehghanpoor, Anchorage Daily News, 13 May 2023
The new limits on asylum target migrants who cross illegally between federal southwest border check points.
—Quinn Owen, ABC News, 12 May 2023
Verb
The best evidence is with naltrexone or acamprosate, both of which seem to target the underlying mechanisms of addiction.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 Apr. 2023
Dozens of world leaders were later found to have been targeted.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2023
Critics see it as a way to unfairly target drag performances.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2023
Russia was forecasted to fare much worse in the early days of the war, but its economy was temporarily spared by a surge in oil and natural gas prices, which had yet to be targeted by Western sanctions.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2023
More pressing on her agenda will be the accountability of decentralized autonomous organizations, a hot-button topic that came into the limelight with the CFTC’s decision last year to target members of one such group, Ooki DAO.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 12 Apr. 2023
The Mustangs already planned to target scoring guards in the transfer portal, but the additions of Harris and Anglin became more important on Wednesday when Zhuric Phelps, SMU’s leading scorer last season, declared for the NBA Draft.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 12 Apr. 2023
The Florida legislature, in a bill that could pass this week, plans to target land purchases made by the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign authoritarian regimes.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 11 Apr. 2023
Ukrainian officials suspect that Russian missileers, assisted by electrical engineers and detailed maps of the Ukrainian grid, knew precisely what to target.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'target.' 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
Noun
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
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Verb
1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of target was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing target
Dictionary Entries Near target
Cite this Entry
“Target.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/target. Accessed 10 Jul. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
target
noun
tar·get
ˈtär-gət
1
: a mark to shoot at
2
: a person or thing that is talked about, criticized, or laughed at
3
: a goal to be achieved : objective
Medical Definition
target
noun
tar·get
ˈtär-gət 
1
: something to be affected by an action or development
specifically
: an organ, part, or tissue that is affected by the action of a hormone
2
a
: the metallic surface usually 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
3
: the thought or object that is to be recognized (as by telepathy) or affected (as by psychokinesis) in a parapsychological experiment
Legal Definition
target
noun
tar·get
: the object to be affected or achieved by an action or development
specifically
: a company that is the object of a takeover
More from Merriam-Webster on target
Nglish: Translation of target for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of target for Arabic Speakers
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