Target Definition

tärgĭt
targeted, targeting, targets
noun
targets
A round, flat board, straw coil, etc., often one marked with concentric circles, set up to be aimed at, as in archery or rifle practice.
Webster's New World
Something aimed or fired at.
American Heritage
Any object that is shot at, thrown at, etc.
Webster's New World
One to be influenced or changed by an action or event.
Children were the target of the new advertising campaign.
American Heritage
An objective; goal.
Webster's New World
verb
targeted, targeting, targets
To establish as a target, goal, etc.
Webster's New World
To identify or treat as the object of action, criticism, or change.
Targeted the molecule for study; targeted teenagers with the ad campaign.
American Heritage
To design for or direct toward a specific object or audience.
Targeted the ad campaign toward seniors.
American Heritage
To aim something, especially a weapon, at (a target).
Wiktionary

(figuratively) To aim for as an audience or demographic.

The advertising campaign targeted older women.
Wiktionary
idiom
on target
  • Completely accurate, precise, or valid:

    observations that were right on target.

American Heritage
on target
  • completely accurate; precise
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Target

Noun

Singular:
target
Plural:
targets

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Target

Origin of Target

  • Middle English small targe from Old French targuete variant of targete diminutive of targe light shield of Germanic origin

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Diminutive of targe.

    From Wiktionary

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