object

1 of 3

noun

ob·​ject ˈäb-jikt  -(ˌ)jekt 

1

a

: something material that may be perceived by the senses

I see an object in the distance.

b

: something that when viewed stirs a particular emotion (such as pity)

Look on the tragic loading of this bed … the object poisons sight; let it be hid.

—William Shakespeare

2

a

: something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed

an object for study

the object of my affection

delicately carved art objects

b

: something physical that is perceived by an individual and becomes an agent for psychological identification

The mother is the primary object of the child.

3

a

: the goal or end of an effort or activity : purpose, objective

Their object is to investigate the matter thoroughly.

The object of the game is to score the most points.

b

: a cause for attention or concern

Money is no object.

4

: a thing that forms an element of or constitutes the subject matter of an investigation or science

objects of study

5

a

: a noun or noun equivalent (such as a pronoun, gerund, or clause) denoting the goal or result of the action of a verb (such as ball in I hit the ball)

b

: a noun or noun equivalent in a prepositional phrase (such as table in on the table)

6

a

: a data structure in object-oriented programming that can contain functions (see function entry 1 sense 7) as well as constants, variables, and other data structures

b

: a discrete entity (such as a window or icon) in computer graphics (see graphic entry 2 sense 2b) that can be manipulated independently of other such entities

objectless

ˈäb-jikt-ləs 

-(ˌ)jekt-

adjective

objectlessness noun

object

2 of 3

verb

ob·​ject əb-ˈjekt 

objected; objecting; objects

transitive verb

: to put forth in opposition or as an objection

objected that the statement was misleading

intransitive verb

1

: to oppose something firmly and usually with words or arguments

2

: to feel distaste for something

objector

əb-ˈjek-tər 

noun

object

3 of 3

adjective

ob·​ject ˈäb-jikt  -(ˌ)jekt 

: of, relating to, or being object code

an object file

Synonyms

Noun

• thing

Verb

• demur
• except
• expostulate
• kick
• protest
• remonstrate (with)

Choose the Right Synonym for object

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain.

intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

Examples of object in a Sentence

Noun

There were three objects in the box: a comb, a pen, and a button.

His object is to determine how much the business will cost to operate.

Verb

No one objected when the paintings were removed.

“We can't buy the chair,” he objected. “It won't fit in the car.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, after using 3D sonar scanning equipment, it was determined that the mysterious object was not the ship. —Stephen Smith, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2023

In total, the mass of all space objects in Earth’s orbit adds up to more than 11,000 tons. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2023

Just as direct, if more cryptic, is Elka Stevens’s quilt, a traditional African American craft object given a modernist vibe with its array of stark black-and-white icons. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023

There are well over a dozen among the 180 objects at the Met, and a more charismatic ensemble is hard to imagine. —Holland Cotter, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023

The object of this veneration was Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Egyptian strongman who came to be the most popular ruler in modern Arab history. —Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023

Yet the object of Frum’s distress was an inane gif, first tweeted by a user named @SilERabbit, in which Joe Biden appeared to be waggling his tongue lasciviously. —Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023

The pair is accused of murdering 2-year-old Karter Ambrose, who was struck with a blunt object sometime between Nov. 15 and 17 in 2020, the indictment alleges, adding that the toddler's liver was lacerated. —Adam Sabes, Fox News, 9 Nov. 2023

Art, mementos, and everyday objects are beautifully displayed, and the rest is kept tucked behind closed doors and within bins. —Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2023

Verb

To get his films released in theaters, Kashyap often fought against government censors who objected to his treatment of historical events and expletive-laden screenplays. —Anant Gupta, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023

But Gorsuch and Thomas were among the dissenters in June when the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in another Voting Rights Act case in favor of Black voters in Alabama who objected to the state's congressional districts. —CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023

Some objected, of course, and some pleaded their cases, but there was a recognizable absence of the sort of rage that can only ever be rooted in impotence. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023

It will be published in the Federal Register and be subject to a 30-day public comment period during which people could object to the agreement. —Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 16 Nov. 2023

Both Google and Apple had objected to revealing details publicly about their agreement. —Leah Nylen, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2023

Prosecutors will still have to make a case for using specific lyrics, and Steel can still object during the trial. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2023

Hundreds of people packed a council meeting in July, mostly to object. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2023

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office objected to releasing the evidence, citing concerns about the spread of misinformation. —Allison Elyse Gualtieri, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023

Adjective

But just shooting an object head-on without any movement is very dull. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 29 Aug. 2022

The case raises the important question of whether the testimony and result will serve as object lessons for investors confronted with cheery promises in the future. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2022

One of these, game playing, combines social, locomotive and object play. —Caitlin O'Connell, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2021

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English object, objecte "something presented to the senses, purpose, objection," borrowed from Latin objectum "something presented to the senses, charge, accusation" (Medieval Latin also, "something presented to the mind, goal, aim"), noun derivative from neuter of objectus, past participle of obicere, objicere "to throw in the way, place against, put forward, present (to the eyes, mind, etc.), cite as a ground for disapproval," from ob- "against, in the way" + jacere "to throw, cast" — more at ob-, jet entry 3

Verb

Middle English objecten, in part borrowed from Latin objectus, past participle of obicere, objicere "to throw in the way, put forward, cite as a ground for disapproval or criticism," in part borrowed from Latin objectāre "to throw before, put in the way, cite as a ground for disapproval," frequentative of obicere — more at object entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of object entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1959, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing object

• direct object
• money is no object
• found object
• inanimate object
• indirect object
• object-oriented programming
• object-oriented
• object of desire
• object of envy
• object lesson
• object language
• object code
• object ball
• no object
• sex object
• unidentified flying object
• retained object
• subject/object of ridicule
• quasi-stellar object
• celestial object

See More

• direct object
• money is no object
• found object
• inanimate object
• indirect object
• object-oriented programming
• object-oriented
• object of desire
• object of envy
• object lesson
• object language
• object code
• object ball
• no object
• sex object
• unidentified flying object
• retained object
• subject/object of ridicule
• quasi-stellar object
• celestial object

See More

Kids Definition

object

1 of 2 noun

ob·​ject ˈäb-jikt 

1

: something that can be perceived by the senses

I see an object in the distance

2

: something that is the target of thought or feeling

an object of study

the object of my affections

3

: the goal or purpose of some activity

the object is to raise money

4

: a noun or term behaving like a noun that receives the action of a verb or completes the meaning of a preposition

5

: something (as an icon or window) on a computer screen that can be moved or used by itself

objectless

ˈäb-jik-tləs 

adjective

object

2 of 2 verb

ob·​ject əb-ˈjekt 

1

: to offer or mention as an objection

objected that the price was too high

2

: to oppose something firmly usually with words

objected to the plan

objector

-ˈjek-tər 

noun

Medical Definition

object

noun

ob·​ject ˈäb-(ˌ)jekt, -jikt 

1

: something material that may be perceived by the senses

2

: something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed

Legal Definition

object

1 of 2 noun

ob·​ject ˈäb-jikt 

1

: something toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed see also natural object

2

: the purpose or goal of something

especially, in the civil law of Louisiana : the purpose for which a contract or obligation is formed

object

2 of 2 transitive verb

ob·​ject əb-ˈjekt 

: to state in opposition or as an objection

objected that the evidence was inadmissible

intransitive verb

: to state opposition especially to something in a judicial proceeding

objected to the testimony on the ground that it was hearsay