26984 words

targets

19 definitions • 38 examples
1
an object shot at during shooting practice, often a circle with a pattern of rings, or any object or place at which bullets, bombs, etc. are aimed:

Examples:

I had four shots but I didn't even hit the target.
2
a person or a particular group of people that something is directed at, or that something is intended for:

Examples:

The target audience for the TV series is young people aged 13 to 18.
3
one or more people who are criticized or laughed at, or who experience unpleasant treatment from others:

Examples:

Recently she has been the target of a series of obscene phone calls.
4
a level or situation that you intend to achieve:

Examples:

The government's target of 3.5 percent annual growth seems easily attainable.
5
to direct advertising, criticism, or a product at someone:

Examples:

The advert for the energy drink is targeted specifically at young people.
6
to aim an attack, or a bullet, bomb, etc., at a particular object, place, or person:

Examples:

It is hoped that civilians will not be targeted during the war.
7
an object aimed and fired at during shooting practice, often a circle with a pattern of rings, or any object or place at which arrows, bullets, bombs, and other missiles are aimed:

Examples:

I missed the target.
The plane passed over the target.
8
A target is also a person or group attacked in some way:

Examples:

The president was the main target of the senator’s speech.
9
a result or situation that you intend to achieve:

Examples:

We met our sales target for the year.
Your calculations were on target (= accurate).
10
to direct an action, advertising, or a product at a particular person or group:

Examples:

The paper is targeted at young people.
11
to direct an attack or criticism against someone or something:

Examples:

The candidate targeted his opponent's comments on the policy.
12
a result, level, or situation that an organization or group wants or plans to achieve:

Examples:

The company gave employees the details of performance targets for bonuses.
hit/meet/reach a target The French economy is on track to meet its growth targets.
exceed/miss/set a target The company has set a target of 10 million wholesale broadband connections by 2014.
a target date/level/price They plan to finish the manufacturing process by the new target date of October 31st.
13
a person, place, etc. that an action is directed at or intended for:

Examples:

a/the target for sb/sth The abundance of resources makes these areas aprime target for development.
Savers have replaced borrowers as the priority target for banks and building societies.
a/the target of sth Their chief executive officer is the target of an investigation into fraud.
14
a company that another company wants to buy:

Examples:

an acquisition/bid/buyout target Their plan is to be a buyer rather than a buyout target.
The City has tipped the group as a takeover target.
15
the price at which someone wants to buy or sell something:

Examples:

Prices have remained below the $21 target because demand growth has been slow.
The investment house has a 1,125p target price on the shares.
16
someone or something that is easy to attack or criticize, often because they cannot defend themselves:

Examples:

Advertisers view themselves as an easy target for regulators.
Big oil companies make easy targets for politicians anxious to take the heat off their own taxation policies.
17
if you are on target with a project, etc., you are likely to achieve what you planned at the time you intended:

Examples:

The company's ambitious growth plans are on target.
on target to do sth We are on target to meet our sales goals for the coming year.
18
to direct something, especially advertising or a product, at a particular group of people or a particular area:

Examples:

target sth at sb/sth We need government restrictions on ads targeted at children.
target sth to sb/sth They plan to target the tax cut to the middle classes.
19
to choose someone or something for a particular type of treatment:

Examples:

target sb/sth for sth They have targeted the failing retailing group for takeover.
target sb/sth as sth Certain areas of manufacturing have been targeted as priorities.

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