target
//ˈtɑː.ɡɪt//
Forms
- Plural
- targets
- present (v1)
- target
- past (v2)
- targeted
- past participle (v3)
- targeted
- present participle
- targeting
- 3rd person singular
- targets
Definitions
1.A butt or mark to shoot at, as for practice, or to test the accuracy of a firearm, or the force of a projectile.
- Take careful aim at the target.
2.A goal or objective.
- They have a target to finish the project by November.
3.An object of criticism or ridicule.
- Tom aimed his pistol at the target.
- I can see the target.
4.A person, place, or thing that is frequently attacked, criticized, or ridiculed.
- Tom aimed his pistol at the target.
- I can see the target.
1.To aim for as an audience or demographic.
- The advertising campaign targeted older women.
2.To produce code suitable for.
- This cross-platform compiler can target any of several processors.
3.To aim something, especially a weapon, at (a target).
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1291
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle French targette, targuete, diminutive of targe (“light shield”), from Old French, from Frankish *targa (“buckler”), akin to Old Norse targa (“small round shield”) (whence also Old English targe, targa (“shield”)) from Proto-Germanic *targǭ (“edge”), from Proto-Indo-European *derǵʰ- (“fenced lot”).