target

noun, often attributive tar·get \ ˈtär-gət \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: target in a Sentence

Definition of target

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

3 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

— off target

: not valid : inaccurate

— on target

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

See target defined for English-language learners

See target defined for kids

Examples of target in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of target from the Web

Prosecutors say Netanyahu isn’t a target of the naval investigation, but police have recommended he be indicted in two other criminal inquiries and have questioned him in a third.

— matthew campbell, Bloomberg.com, "Benjamin Netanyahu Could Be Heading for a Fifth Term. Or to Court," 14 June 2018
Midfielder Gazinsky gave his country the perfect start, arrowing a header into the bottom corner in the 12th minute with his first effort on target, and substitute Cherushev doubled the hosts' advantage just before the break.

— aimee lewis, CNN, "Russia opens World Cup 2018 with thumping win over Saudi Arabia," 14 June 2018
Tight end Delanie Walker and veteran WR Rishard Matthews gave Mariota two reliable targets, but neither of them is a true No. 1 threat.

— tim rohan, SI.com, "AFC South Offseason Report Cards: Jaguars Get Stronger, Titans Get Defensive, Texans Need Health and Colts Need Luck," 12 June 2018
His words and actions target, question, and attack our empathy, challenging us on our sense of community and gaslighting our sense of togetherness.

— danielle campoamor, Teen Vogue, "Donald Trump Is Devastating Our Mental Health With His Policies and Rhetoric," 12 June 2018
In late May, a B-1B launched two Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) at a moving target off the coast of California, striking it with both missiles.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Air Force Grounds B-1s Over Ejection Seat Issue," 8 June 2018
Ironically, the tariff dispute is keeping the G-7 from working together to address a glut in steel on world markets created by Trump’s favorite target, China.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Unites U.S. Allies–in Opposition to His Trade Policies," 6 June 2018
FC Cincinnati defender Sem de Wit has two shots early (one on target, one wide).

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Minnesota United FC prevails in PKs over FC Cincinnati in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup," 6 June 2018
Regardless of who was the intended target, only two paralegals — Veleria Sharp and Laura Anderson — were left in the office on that Friday afternoon.

— michael kiefer, azcentral, "Scottsdale shooting suspect left divorce full of discord, YouTube channel full of grudges," 4 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology 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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4

See Words from the same year

target Synonyms

Phrases

name of the game;

Other Military Terms

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

target

verb

Definition of target

targeted; targeting; targets

transitive verb

1 : to make a target of

targeted her for promotion

; especially : to set as a goal

2 : to direct or use toward a target

See target defined for English-language learners

Examples of target in a Sentence

drugs that target cancer cells

Recent Examples of target from the Web

They were rumored to be targeting two max players in free agency.

— matt babcock, SI.com, "The Dreams and Nightmares of Every Agent on NBA Draft Night," 18 June 2018
If Becker were to be prosecuted regardless, other states could potentially use the case to target diplomats abroad who are protected by the very same immunity.

— rick noack, chicagotribune.com, "Former tennis champion Boris Becker claims diplomatic immunity in bankruptcy case," 15 June 2018
If Becker were to be prosecuted, other states could potentially use the case to target diplomats abroad who are protected by the same immunity.

— rick noack, Washington Post, "Former tennis champion Boris Becker claims diplomatic immunity in bankruptcy case," 15 June 2018
There’s also a strategic reason to target a landing site near the lunar poles: Shadowed craters at high latitudes on the moon may hold significant deposits of frozen water.

— NBC News, "China plans historic mission to the moon's 'dark' side," 15 June 2018
Research providers argue that readership tracking is meant to improve the product, allowing them to better target clients’ interests and plan their communication with customers.

— telis demos, WSJ, "Big Investors Don’t Want Wall Street Analysts Snooping on Them," 14 June 2018
But to target a private corporation because of its politics is something no conservative should favor.

— jeff jacoby, BostonGlobe.com, "Don’t break up Google — the market will sort everything out," 14 June 2018
Shopping around for a better rate is essential Already, credit card issuers appear to be less likely to target a mass audience by offering rewards to anyone who comes along.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Why Fed rate hike can drive you to pay down credit cards," 13 June 2018
Kat is, after all, a black woman living in a country where black people are disproportionately likely to be targeted—and killed—by police.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "The Bold Type Delivers on Its Leads," 13 June 2018

First Known Use of target

1837

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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TARGET Defined for English Language Learners

target

noun

Definition of target for English Language Learners

: something that you are trying to do or achieve
: a place, thing, or person at which an attack is aimed
: the person or group that someone is trying to influence, sell something to, etc.

target

verb

Definition of target for English Language Learners

: to aim an attack at someone or something
: to direct an action, message, etc., at someone or something

TARGET Defined for Kids

target

noun tar·get \ ˈtär-gət \

Definition of target for Students

1 : a mark or object to shoot at or attack

2 : a person or thing that is talked about, criticized, or laughed at

3 : a goal to be reached Her target is to lose ten pounds by summer.

Medical Dictionary

target

noun tar·get \ ˈtär-gət \

medical Definition of target

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