target

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An object or area that someone tries to hit when shooting or throwing.

   Grammar: Countable: one target, two targets. Often used with hit, miss, or aim at.

   Patterns

   • hit the target
   • miss the target
   • aim at a target

   The arrow landed right in the center of the target.

   She practiced until she could hit the target every time.

   The target was too far away for him to hit with a stone.

2. 2nouncountable

   A result or level that a person or organization tries to achieve.

   Grammar: Countable. Often used with meet, reach, set, or exceed.

   Patterns

   • meet a target
   • set a target
   • reach a target

   The company failed to meet its sales target this year.

   Our target is to reduce waste by 20 percent.

   She set a personal target of running five kilometers a day.

3. 3nouncountable

   A person or thing that an attack, criticism, or action is directed at.

   Grammar: Countable. Often followed by of: a target of criticism.

   Patterns

   • a target of something
   • a target for something
   • become a target

   The new policy became a target of criticism from both sides.

   Elderly people are often a target for phone scams.

   The factory was a target for protesters.

4. 4verbtransitive

   To direct an attack, effort, or message toward a particular person or group.

   Grammar: Takes an object: target a group. Often used in the passive: be targeted by.

   Patterns

   • target someone or something
   • be targeted at someone
   • target something at someone

   The advertisement targets young families.

   The campaign was targeted at undecided voters.

   Insects can be targeted with a specific spray.

5. 5verbtransitive

   To choose a place or thing as the aim of an attack or action.

   Grammar: Takes an object: target a city. Often used in military or news contexts.

   Patterns

   • target a place
   • target a building

   The missiles targeted military bases near the border.

   Rebels targeted the airport with rockets.

   Police targeted the gang's headquarters.

Word forms

Common combinations

hit the target

The sales team hit the target three months in a row.

meet a target

We need to meet our target by December.

target audience

The magazine's target audience is teenagers.

easy target

Without a guard, the building was an easy target.

target date

The target date for completion is June 30.

Synonyms and how they differ

goal

Goal is more common for personal aims, while target is often a specific number or level to reach.

objective

Objective sounds more formal and is used in planning; target is more concrete and measurable.

aim

Aim is the general purpose; a target is the exact thing you try to hit or achieve.

Word family

targeted adjective

Directed at a particular person or group: targeted advertising.

targeting noun

The act of choosing and aiming at a particular group: the targeting of civilians.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “target”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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