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

The ring both reveals the existence of the background object and magnifies it. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Do not approach water, wet objects, or metal items. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025

Verb

The Trump administration, though, has recently objected to ICAO's move to boost sustainable aviation fuel. —Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

In particular, borrowers are entitled to an initial notice and an opportunity to respond or object. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

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

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

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

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