target

1 of 2

noun

tar·​get ˈtär-gət How to pronounce target (audio)
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
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

target

2 of 2

verb

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
Phrases
off target
: not valid : inaccurate
on target
: precisely correct or valid especially in interpreting or addressing a problem or vital issue

Examples of target in a Sentence

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 Web
Noun
And once again the target was a concert hall, just as in the 2015 attack on the Bataclan theater in Paris and the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Vanessa Gera, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar. 2024 Debut author George relates how Chase uncovers potential motives of other members of the walking group; in the process, Chase becomes a target for the murderer. Karen MacPherson, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 The current target is for the Overture airliner to take its first flight by 2030, but getting there will be expensive. Tim Stevens, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024 Russia has largely avoided striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for the past few months, instead focusing on military production targets. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 And any perception that the department had made Mr. Trump a target from the outset, without exploring other avenues, would have doomed the investigation. Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 However, the targets of the new sanctions do not complete the job. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 What Bloomberg Intelligence says: Next instills confidence in its reiterated guidance for £960 million in pretax profit in fiscal 2025, which is 4.6% ahead year over year, by reporting £918 million for fiscal 2024, just ahead of its target range. Jennifer Creery, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024 Ironically, the sting was instigated by the Assembly minority leader, Pat Nolan of Glendale, who convinced the Reagan administration that Brown was a ripe target. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The defendants and others in APT 31 also targeted thousands of American and foreign citizens and companies. Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024 Now an ordinary citizen, Wilfong says the city is targeting him for repeatedly pointing out these violations. The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024 The Ministry of Health in Gaza said about 3,000 people were seeking refuge and that those attempting to leave were being targeted by snipers and fire from helicopters. Lauren Izso, Abeer Salman and Tim Lister, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024 The Israeli military was targeting Al-Amal with smoke bombs, and military vehicles were barricading the entrances of the compound, the Red Crescent said. Ameera Harouda, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024 On the docket for next week: The federal corruption trial targeting former deputy mayor Raymond Chan continues next week, with the defense team presenting its slate of witnesses. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 Train heists, for this reason, tend to target trains coming from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 23 Mar. 2024 So far, the fake obituaries haven't targeted major celebrities, but Pierson, whose firm specializes in cybersecurity protection for high-net worth individuals, said that could change. USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 Another guide advises targeting girls who have eating disorders or bipolar disorder. Chris Dehghanpoor, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near target

Cite this Entry

“Target.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/target. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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 How to pronounce target (audio)
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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