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[tahr-git] /ˈtɑr gɪt/
any object used for this purpose.
anything fired at.
a goal to be reached.
an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.
Fencing. the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
  1. the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
  2. any marker on which sights are taken.
a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.
that is or may be a target or goal:
The target group consisted of college graduates who earned more than $50,000 a year.
verb (used with object)
to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
to direct toward a target:
The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.
to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.
Verb phrases
target (in) on, to establish or use as a target or goal:
The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.
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.
1350-1400; Middle English (noun) < Middle French targuete, variant of targete small shield. See targe, -et
Related forms
targetable, adjective
targetless, adjective
untargetable, adjective
untargeted, adjective
4. aim, end, purpose. Unabridged
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Examples from the web for targeted
  • To me, targeted hunts are ethically similar to the destruction of habits for timber.
  • There had been reports, including some in this magazine, of targeted killings.
  • Products often get made because they're cheaper, or have some interesting gimmick, or can be targeted at a particular niche.
  • Fiscal stimulus isn't a panacea, but it can be a useful tool if it's timely and targeted.
  • The ivory is primarily in the form of carved curios, such as chopsticks, targeted toward foreigners.
  • When their meat and eggs became prized, commercial fishermen targeted them.
  • Alligator gars are also targeted by both commercial and sport fisheries and have frequently been overfished.
  • But first, they have to evict the males already living in the targeted group.
  • Learn how specially designed vehicle armor and customized weapons help these mercenaries survive being targeted by insurgents.
  • The good news is that the fish, a northern snakehead that has been targeted by biologists for the last several weeks, was caught.
British Dictionary definitions for targeted


  1. an object or area at which an archer or marksman aims, usually a round flat surface marked with concentric rings
  2. (as modifier): target practice
  1. any point or area aimed at; the object of an attack or a takeover bid
  2. (as modifier): target area, target company
a fixed goal or objective: the target for the appeal is £10 000
a person or thing at which an action or remark is directed or the object of a person's feelings: a target for the teacher's sarcasm
a joint of lamb consisting of the breast and neck
(surveying) a marker on which sights are taken, such as the sliding marker on a levelling staff
(formerly) a small round shield
(physics, electronics)
  1. a substance, object, or system subjected to bombardment by electrons or other particles, or to irradiation
  2. an electrode in a television camera tube whose surface, on which image information is stored, is scanned by the electron beam
(electronics) an object to be detected by the reflection of a radar or sonar signal, etc
on target, on the correct course to meet a target or objective
verb (transitive) -gets, -geting, -geted
to make a target of
to direct or aim: to target benefits at those most in need
Derived Forms
targetless, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Old French targette a little shield, from Old French targe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for targeted



c.1400, "shield," diminutive of late Old English targe, from Old French targe "light shield," from Frankish *targa "shield" (cf. Old High German zarga "edging, border," German zarge, Old English targe, Old Norse targa "shield"), from Proto-Germanic *targo "border, edge." Meaning "object to be aimed at in shooting" first recorded 1757, originally in archery. Target audience is by 1951, early reference is to Cold War psychological warfare.


"to use as a target," 1837, from target (n.). Related: Targeted; targeting.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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targeted in Medicine

target tar·get (tär'gĭt)

  1. One to be influenced or changed by an action or event.

  2. A desired goal.

  3. A usually metal part in an x-ray tube on which a beam of electrons is focused and from which x-rays are emitted.

  4. A target organ.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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targeted in the Bible

(1 Sam. 17:6, A.V., after the LXX. and Vulg.), a kind of small shield. The margin has "gorget," a piece of armour for the throat. The Revised Version more correctly renders the Hebrew word (kidon) by "javelin." The same Hebrew word is used in Josh. 8:18 (A.V., "spear;" R.V., "javelin"); Job 39:23 (A.V., "shield;" R.V., "javelin"); 41:29 (A.V., "spear;" R.V., "javelin").

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Idioms and Phrases with targeted
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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