target

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

|Updated on: 16 Aug 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

Over the course of the summit, Trump upped his demand to 4 percent, a target that is above the United States’ own spending on defense, according to NATO calculations.

— tessa berenson/brussels, Time, "'NATO Is Much Stronger Now': Trump Claims Victory After Contentious Summit," 12 July 2018
The testing is also conducted against high visibility targets in clear terrain which the pretend enemy has made no effort to conceal.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Long Awaited A-10 vs.-F-35 Flyoff Is Off to a Sketchy Start," 11 July 2018
As the Target Engagement Authority, his job included approving airstrikes against Islamic State targets.

— andrew dyer, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Camp Pendleton general treated aide like 'servant' in Iraq, Pentagon says," 10 July 2018
Crabtree could be a target hog in Baltimore, as well, putting another eight-touchdown season firmly in his sights.

— michael beller, SI.com, "Fantasy Football 2018: The Boring All-Star Team," 10 July 2018
The threatened plant closure made Heinz ketchup a target of consumers even before the trade spat.

— The Economist, "To resist Trump, Canadians try local ketchup," 5 July 2018
The devices determine a target phone's location by spoofing or simulating a cell tower.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "Judge slams Tacoma for not releasing stingray records," 1 July 2018
Ayers cited Nobel, a target of vandals because of its remote location on Pottawatomi Trail, could be of value because of its land.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Gary's empty schools have seen vandalism, arson and neglect. Now, they're going on the real estate market.," 28 June 2018
In 1993, President Bill Clinton announced the US had launched missiles against Iraqi targets because of ‘‘compelling evidence’’ Iraq had plotted to assassinate former president George H.W. Bush.

— BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 26 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

NEW! Time Traveler

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

The four-time Pro Bowl selection was among the players identified for targeting teammate Jonathan Martin during the 2013 season.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins bullying scandal central figure Richie Incognito named anti-bullying 'ambassador'," 14 July 2018
Sloan’s group in Australia published earlier mouse studies showing that chronic stress targets the same immune cells influenced by reward circuit activation in the new paper.

— esther landhuis, Scientific American, "Could Brain Stimulation Slow Cancer?," 13 July 2018
Unlike turkey vultures, which eat carrion and do not attack live animals, black vultures target both living and dead animals.

— jordyn hermani, Indianapolis Star, "Black vultures are eating cows alive. But it's difficult to legally kill the birds.," 13 July 2018
At least 18 Facebook ads, apparently paid in Russian rubles, specifically targeted Arizona audiences; many others were seen by broad audience types across the country, including Arizona.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "Arizona servers used by Russian hackers to monitor Democrats, feds say," 13 July 2018
Dem group launches ads targeting Heitkamp, Manchin and Donnelly to oppose Kavanaugh’s nomination NBC’s Leigh Ann Caldwell and Frank Thorp report that a Democratic-leaning group is launching ads to pressure Sens.

— chuck todd, NBC News, "Worst fears realized in Trump's overseas trip — and it's not over yet," 13 July 2018
Special Counsel Robert Mueller unsealed an indictment on Friday against twelve Russian agents for conspiring to commit cyberattacks targeting Democrats and Hillary Clinton’s campaign during the most recent presidential election.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Truth Without Consequences," 13 July 2018
But Everlane—which targets a young, female, mostly millennial audience like Aritzia—already has a substantial cult following through its social channels and pop-up stores around the country.

— rachel king, Fortune, "Meghan Markle Is Being Credited With Boosting Aritzia's Earnings. But Is the 'Meghan Effect' Real?," 13 July 2018
According to the teenager, Perez involved him in two drive-by shootings that targeted a neighbor.

— john maccormack, San Antonio Express-News, "Teen accomplice details how Victoria mosque went up in flames," 12 July 2018

First Known Use of target

1837

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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