target: Meaning and Definition of

tar•get

1. an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
2. any object used for this purpose.
3. anything fired at.
4. a goal to be reached.
5. an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.
6. the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
7. a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.
1. the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
2. any marker on which sights are taken.
9. a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.
10. Their description of the event was on target.
1. properly aimed or on the right course toward a target.
2. accurate, correct, or valid:Their description of the event was on target.
3. filling or meeting a requirement or expectations:The amount of supplies we took was right on target.

1. that is or may be a target or goal: The target group consisted of college graduates who earned more than $50,000 a year.

1. to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
2. to direct toward a target: The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.
3. to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.
4. to establish or use as a target or goal: The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.