an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.

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.

a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.

Surveying .

the sliding sight on a leveling rod.

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

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. ?

target on or 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

properly aimed or on the right course toward a target.

accurate, correct, or valid

Their description of the event was on target.

filling or meeting a requirement or expectations

The amount of supplies we took was right on target.

noun

ambition , bull’s-eye , destination , duty , end , function , ground zero , intention , mark , object , objective , point , purpose , spot , use , butt * , byword , game , mark * , pigeon * , prey , quarry , scapegoat * , scorn , sitting duck * , sport , victim , butt , aim , design , goal , intent , meaning , view , why , bull\'s-eye , center , pigeon , quota , scapegoat , sight

verb

mark , aim , contemplate , design , mean , plan , project , propose , purpose