target

noun countable

UK /ˈtɑː(r)ɡɪt/

Word Forms

singular	target
plural	targets

1
an object that you have to hit in a game or a sport
on/off target (=accurate or not accurate):
Few players managed to get their shots on target.
Synonyms and related words
Scoring points and goals
a clean sheet
aggregate
all
1. 1a
  a person, building, or area that someone intends to attack
  Foreigners have become targets for attack by terrorists.
  The house was left empty and therefore a target for vandals.
  a murderer who carefully selected his targets
  potential military targets such as air bases and oil fields
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that are treated badly
  victim
  target
  pawn
2. 1b
  something such as a person, idea, or statement that can be criticized
  target for:
  His war record became a target for his enemies.
  easy target:
  Some plans for development offered an easy target in the press.
  target of:
  The policy has become the target of severe criticism.
  Synonyms and related words
  Someone or something that is blamed or accused
  target
  scapegoat
  fair game
2
something that you try to achieve
set a target:
They are setting a target of 2,000 new members.
meet a target (=achieve it):
Not many states will meet their targets for energy conservation.
target level:
They should get to their target level in about twelve months.
on/off/below/above target:
Oil production was 15 per cent below target.
target date (=the date that you are hoping something will be done):
We are setting June as a target date for completion.
sales target (=the amount of something that you want to sell):
The idea is helping staff to achieve their sales targets.
Synonyms and related words
Purposes and intentions
purpose
role
goal
1. 2a
  someone that you are trying to get as a customer or audience
  the paper’s target readership
  prime target (=perfect target):
  We think teenagers are a prime target for the anti-smoking campaign.
  Synonyms and related words
  Audiences
  audience
  box office
  bums on seats
2. 2b
  someone or something that you want to deal with or control
  Their best players are now targets for richer teams.
  The mayor was the target of eight separate tax investigations.
  They made an offer for the target company (=the one they wanted to buy).
  Synonyms and related words
  Purposes and intentions
  purpose
  role
  goal
3
on target
exactly appropriate; serving a purpose; accurate
She has an uncanny ability to predict certain events in the marketplace and I wonder how she manages to be so on target.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 20/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

moving target

target

noun countable

US /ˈtɑrɡət/

Word Forms

singular	target
plural	targets

1
an object that you have to hit in a game or a sport
on/off target (=accurate or not accurate):
Few players managed to get their shots on target.
Synonyms and related words
Scoring points and goals
aggregate
all
all square
1. 1a
  a person, building, or area that someone intends to attack
  Foreigners have become targets for attack by terrorists.
  The house was left empty and therefore a target for vandals.
  a murderer who carefully selected his targets
  potential military targets such as air bases and oil fields
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that are treated badly
  victim
  target
  pawn
2. 1b
  something such as a person, idea, or statement that can be criticized
  target for:
  His war record became a target for his enemies.
  easy target:
  Some plans for development offered an easy target in the press.
  target of:
  The policy has become the target of severe criticism.
  Synonyms and related words
  Someone or something that is blamed or accused
  target
  scapegoat
  fair game
2
something that you try to achieve
set a target:
They are setting a target of 2,000 new members.
meet a target (=achieve it):
Not many states will meet their targets for energy conservation.
target level:
They should get to their target level in about twelve months.
on/off/below/above target:
Oil production was 15 percent below target.
target date (=the date that you are hoping something will be done):
We are setting June as a target date for completion.
sales target (=the amount of something that you want to sell):
The idea is helping staff to achieve their sales targets.
Synonyms and related words
Purposes and intentions
purpose
role
goal
1. 2a
  someone that you are trying to get as a customer or audience
  the paper’s target readership
  prime target (=perfect target):
  We think teenagers are a prime target for the antismoking campaign.
  Synonyms and related words
  Audiences
  audience
  box office
  captive audience
2. 2b
  someone or something that you want to deal with or control
  Their best players are now targets for richer teams.
  The mayor was the target of eight separate tax investigations.
  They made an offer for the target company (=the one they wanted to buy).
  Synonyms and related words
  Purposes and intentions
  purpose
  role
  goal
3
on target
exactly appropriate; serving a purpose; accurate
She has an uncanny ability to predict certain events in the marketplace and I wonder how she manages to be so on target.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 20/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

moving target

target

verb transitive

UK /ˈtɑː(r)ɡɪt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	target
he/she/it	targets
present participle	targeting
past tense	targeted
past participle	targeted

1
to intend or to try to attack someone or something
The terrorists were targeting government buildings.
Synonyms and related words
To try to hit or attack someone or something
lash out
strike at
strike out
1. 1a
  to aim a bomb or weapon at someone or something
  Nuclear missiles will no longer be targeted on these cities.
  Synonyms and related words
  To attack with weapons or bombs
  attack
  bayonet
  be bombed out (of something)
2
to try to persuade or to influence a particular group of people
The billboards had been targeting travellers at airports.
television advertising that is targeted at children
Synonyms and related words
To persuade someone to agree with or support you
persuade
win over
woo
3
to criticize or to work against a particular person or group that you oppose
The company had been targeted by environmentalists.
Police are specifically targeting criminal gangs.
Synonyms and related words
To criticize, accuse or blame
criticize
blame
put down
4
to direct money or help to a particular group of people
We are targeting assistance towards people on low incomes.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay

target

verb transitive

US /ˈtɑrɡət/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	target
he/she/it	targets
present participle	targeting
past tense	targeted
past participle	targeted

1
to intend or to try to attack someone or something
The terrorists were targeting government buildings.
Synonyms and related words
To try to hit or attack someone or something
hit out
strike at
aim
1. 1a
  to aim a bomb or weapon at someone or something
  Nuclear missiles will no longer be targeted on these cities.
  Synonyms and related words
  To attack with weapons or bombs
  attack
  bayonet
  blitz
2
to try to persuade or to influence a particular group of people
The billboards had been targeting travelers at airports.
television advertising that is targeted at children
Synonyms and related words
To persuade someone to agree with or support you
persuade
win over
woo
3
to criticize or to work against a particular person or group that you oppose
The company had been targeted by environmentalists.
Police are specifically targeting criminal gangs.
Synonyms and related words
To criticize, accuse or blame
criticize
blame
put down
4
to direct money or help to a particular group of people
The money is targeted for families below the poverty line.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay

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