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
Robert Snell3
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
targeted; targeting; targets
1
: to make a target of
targeted her for promotion
especially
: to set as a goal
2
: to direct or use toward a target
Synonyms
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 WebJeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
On Wednesday, April 3, TMZ shared a video of the chaotic scene when guests at the Hershey, Pennsylvania, theme park became the animal’s targets while waiting to board the SooperDooperLooper.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Monkey Man features a similar subplot in which Kid tries to rescue an escort named Sita (Sobhita Dhulipala) from a brothel frequented by the evil police inspector Rana (Sikandar Kher), one of his primary targets.
—Siddhant Adlakha, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The American Presidency is the ultimate easy target.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Other countries are also preparing to populate the moon, with China announcing a 2030 target for astronauts to arrive on the lunar surface and India’s arrival intended by 2040.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
In particular, the review board faulted Microsoft (MSFT) for not adequately protecting a sensitive cryptographic key that allowed the hackers to remotely sign into their targets’ Outlook accounts by forging credentials, reports my colleague Sean Lyngaas.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The National Unity Government (NUG), an alliance of anti-junta groups formed to challenge military rule in the wake of a 2021 coup, announced coordinated drone attacks on two military installations, but provided no details on the drones or weapons used, or whether the targets sustained any damage.
—Reuters, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Tiger last week closed its 16th fund at $2.2 billion, a stark miss next to its $6 billion target.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Filed on behalf of the Palmdale School District, the March 29 suit targets both Shelton and the Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles Superior Court, saying the lawman should have seen that custodian Eric Rios clearly wasn’t fleeing and didn’t look anything like the suspect Shelton was chasing.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Israeli hails the operation as a model Israel says the operation targeted Hamas, the group that launched a deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, sparking the war.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia targeting military infrastructure and logistics such as oil depots have increased, but Kyiv’s forces are still under pressure along the front line and lately have been pushed backward.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, the Center for European Policy Analysis has an interesting piece out on China’s military AI goals, which include using the technology to identify and target enemies.
—Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
The league has been running its first-ever commercials during the tournament to attract fans and plans a marketing blitz to target alumni of schools like Iowa and LSU.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Across the country, conservative legislators have begun to target diversity programs in state agencies, schools and private companies.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Five houses on two near west side blocks would become a historic district under a proposal endorsed by city officials − after a process that included profanity and a death wish targeting a supporter.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
Tesla, Honda and Toyota factories are some of the union’s other targets.
—Jeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
On Wednesday, April 3, TMZ shared a video of the chaotic scene when guests at the Hershey, Pennsylvania, theme park became the animal’s targets while waiting to board the SooperDooperLooper.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Monkey Man features a similar subplot in which Kid tries to rescue an escort named Sita (Sobhita Dhulipala) from a brothel frequented by the evil police inspector Rana (Sikandar Kher), one of his primary targets.
—Siddhant Adlakha, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The American Presidency is the ultimate easy target.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Other countries are also preparing to populate the moon, with China announcing a 2030 target for astronauts to arrive on the lunar surface and India’s arrival intended by 2040.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
In particular, the review board faulted Microsoft (MSFT) for not adequately protecting a sensitive cryptographic key that allowed the hackers to remotely sign into their targets’ Outlook accounts by forging credentials, reports my colleague Sean Lyngaas.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The National Unity Government (NUG), an alliance of anti-junta groups formed to challenge military rule in the wake of a 2021 coup, announced coordinated drone attacks on two military installations, but provided no details on the drones or weapons used, or whether the targets sustained any damage.
—Reuters, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Tiger last week closed its 16th fund at $2.2 billion, a stark miss next to its $6 billion target.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
Democrats perennially target Texas in hopes of flipping it blue, and this year is no exception.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Filed on behalf of the Palmdale School District, the March 29 suit targets both Shelton and the Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles Superior Court, saying the lawman should have seen that custodian Eric Rios clearly wasn’t fleeing and didn’t look anything like the suspect Shelton was chasing.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Israeli hails the operation as a model Israel says the operation targeted Hamas, the group that launched a deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, sparking the war.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia targeting military infrastructure and logistics such as oil depots have increased, but Kyiv’s forces are still under pressure along the front line and lately have been pushed backward.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, the Center for European Policy Analysis has an interesting piece out on China’s military AI goals, which include using the technology to identify and target enemies.
—Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
The league has been running its first-ever commercials during the tournament to attract fans and plans a marketing blitz to target alumni of schools like Iowa and LSU.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Across the country, conservative legislators have begun to target diversity programs in state agencies, schools and private companies.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Five houses on two near west side blocks would become a historic district under a proposal endorsed by city officials − after a process that included profanity and a death wish targeting a supporter.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'target.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near target
Cite this Entry
“Target.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/target. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
target
noun
tar·get
ˈtär-gət 
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
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