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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Measured from the same quarter a year earlier, workers’ paychecks, excluding government employees, rose 3.8%, a pace consistent with the Fed’s inflation target, Daco said. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 None of the three individuals who entered guilty pleas will be required to testify against the remaining codefendants, including the main target of the case, Young Thug. Nick Valencia, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
The item is also one of thousands being sold by a group of online operators who are targeting the US election using hate, lies, and conspiracy theories, all to make a quick buck. Meriem Mahdhi, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2024 The company is also targeting $2 billion to $3 billion in cost reductions from 2024 through the end of 2026. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for target 

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 7 Nov. 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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