target: Meaning and Definition of
tar•get
Pronunciation: (tär'git), [key]
— n.
- an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
- any object used for this purpose.
- anything fired at.
- a goal to be reached.
- an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.
- the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
- a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.
-
- the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
- any marker on which sights are taken.
- a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.
- Their description of the event was on target.
- properly aimed or on the right course toward a target.
- accurate, correct, or valid:Their description of the event was on target.
- filling or meeting a requirement or expectations:The amount of supplies we took was right on target.
—adj.
- that is or may be a target or goal: The target group consisted of college graduates who earned more than $50,000 a year.
—v.t.
- to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
- to direct toward a target: The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.
- to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.
- to establish or use as a target or goal: The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.