-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny kakistocracy
- ALL
Definition of target
1a : a mark to shoot atb : a target marked by shots fired at itc : something or someone fired at or marked for attackd : a goal to be achieved
2a : an object of ridicule or criticismb : something or someone to be affected by an action or development
3a : 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 emittedb : 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
Explore M-W
Examples of target in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of target from the Web
-
Over the course of three open evaluation windows, Miller and his staff will canvass the country, prioritizing top targets, identifying new ones and firming up their plans for official visit season — and then the signing window.
-
Those awards are reported at their target values in the summary compensation tables of annual proxy statements.
-
Trump’s tweets also appear to have lost considerable punch in their impact on his targets.
-
Although the target age range is as young as 4, the program is most popular among kids ages 5 to 12.
-
These tracts, where human influence is still too weak to easily detect by satellite, are prime targets for conservation.
-
Michael Kors has even been the target of similar protests before, with WWD noting that in September, a group gathered outside his SoHo store in New York City.
-
After all, Thompson has a new quarterback: transfer Taulia Tagovailoa, an Alabama target.
-
But now the robot has gone off script, picking out its own targets for analysis—precisely as planned.
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
target
Definition of target
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
Examples of target in a Sentence
drugs that target cancer cells
First Known Use of target
1837
TARGET Defined for English Language Learners
target
playDefinition 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
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
playDefinition 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
playMedical 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
2a: 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 emittedb: 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
Law Dictionary
target
Legal Definition of target
: the object to be affected or achieved by an action or development; specifically : a company that is the object of a takeover
Learn More about target
-
See words that rhyme with target Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for target Spanish Central: Translation of target Nglish: Translation of target for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of target for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up target? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!