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

As objects, they were meant to be handled, opened and flipped over as needed. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Using the tablets, students will collect data like temperature and movement during the flights and test hypotheses about the objects after the balloons land. —The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024

Otero’s son wasn’t hurt when the metal object struck his home, Otero said. —Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

Her idea, though, is to make an object that could seem ubiquitous feel interesting and special again. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

Otero was on vacation but said the object caused significant damage and nearly stuck his son, local outlet WINK News first reported. —Megan Myers, Fox News, 3 Apr. 2024

The carving that caught So’s attention is one of 40 objects of interest at the Norton Simon. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

These objects would have been stored with the intention of smelting them down to be repurposed into new equipment. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024

The sensors use technology to detect objects and lower the speed of the mower to limit any damage on impact. —Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2024

Verb

County lawyers defending a civil claim brought by Serna’s surviving family members objected to allowing the public to see the video of Serna slumping to her death inside her Las Colinas women’s jail cell in 2019. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Moscow police investigated survey Led by Thompson, prosecutors objected to Kohberger’s defense team commissioning the poll that asked certain types of questions of 400 county residents who could be called as jurors in the capital murder trial. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2024

Greene objected to the $1.2 trillion spending deal that Johnson hammered out with Democrats to keep the government funded through the end of September. —Brian Bennett, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

Others also objected to the 100% sales tax on CBD and hemp products, which would drive many businesses that sell them out of business, Omaha state Sen. Jen Day said. —Margery A. Beck, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024

Plastic surgery groups objected, arguing that the training requirements did not measure up. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024

Robinson objected to that because Platt’s performance review had not been completed, and entering into contract negotiations before that was finished was at odds with city policy. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024

Fubo has strongly objected to the plan and has gone so far as to sue the companies involved to ensure that it isn’t left at a disadvantage. —Chris Welch, The Verge, 28 Mar. 2024

Landmark regulations intended to protect millions of California workers from worsening heat conditions in warehouses and other indoor facilities were left in limbo Thursday after the Newsom administration objected to the cost of the rules. —Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024

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

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

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