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Definition target in British English

target noun

[countable] noun
/ˈtɑː(r)ɡɪt/
1

an object that you have to hit in a game or a sport

Example

Few players managed to get their shots on target.

Synonyms and related words
a clean sheet aggregate all
1.1

a person, building, or area that someone intends to attack

Example

Foreigners have become targets for attack by terrorists.

Example

The house was left empty and therefore a target for vandals.

Example

a murderer who carefully selected his targets

Example

potential military targets such as air bases and oil fields

Synonyms and related words
victim target pawn
1.2

something such as a person, idea, or statement that can be criticized

Example

His war record became a target for his enemies.

Example

Some plans for development offered an easy target in the press.

Example

The policy has become the target of severe criticism.

Synonyms and related words
target scapegoat fair game
2

something that you try to achieve

Example

They are setting a target of 2,000 new members.

Example

Not many states will meet their targets for energy conservation.

Example

They should get to their target level in about twelve months.

Example

Oil production was 15 per cent below target.

Example

We are setting June as a target date for completion.

Example

The idea is helping staff to achieve their sales targets.

Synonyms and related words
purpose role goal
2.1

someone that you are trying to get as a customer or audience

Example

the paper's target readership

Example

We think teenagers are a prime target for the anti-smoking campaign.

Synonyms and related words
audience box office bums on seats
2.2

someone or something that you want to deal with or control

Example

Their best players are now targets for richer teams.

Example

The mayor was the target of eight separate tax investigations.

Example

They made an offer for the target company (=the one they wanted to buy).

Synonyms and related words
purpose role goal
Example

She has an uncanny ability to predict certain events in the marketplace and I wonder how she manages to be so on target.

Definition target in British English