Targets Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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targets

[หˆtษ‘หrษกษชts ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in sports

Targets are objects or areas that players aim at in order to score points or achieve a goal.

Synonyms

aims, goals, objectives.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
targets

Commonly used in business and professional settings to refer to specific results or milestones that are intended to be achieved within a certain timeframe.

  • The sales team exceeded their quarterly targets.
  • We have set new targets for the upcoming fiscal year.
goals

Universally applicable in both personal and professional scenarios to describe long-term achievements or end results that someone is committed to reaching.

  • Her goal is to run a marathon next year.
  • One of the company's goals is to be carbon neutral by 2030.
objectives

Typically used in formal and professional settings to denote specific, measurable steps that are planned in order to achieve broader goals. It often relates to project management and business planning.

  • One of our key objectives this year is to improve customer satisfaction.
  • The project objectives were clearly defined in the proposal.
aims

Used in both professional and personal contexts to refer to broader, more general intentions or aspirations. It is less specific than 'targets' or 'objectives'.

  • Our main aim is to provide affordable education to everyone.
  • She aims to become a professional musician one day.

Examples of usage

  • Archery targets are usually round in shape.
  • The soccer player kicked the ball towards the target.
  • The shooter hit the bullseye on the target.
  • The darts player aimed for the center of the target.
  • The basketball player scored by hitting the target.
Context #2 | Verb

in marketing

Targets refer to specific groups of people or individuals that a company aims to reach with its products or services.

Synonyms

aim at, direct towards, focus on.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
targets

Use this when identifying specific goals or objectives, often in a business or strategic setting.

  • The company has set ambitious sales targets for the next quarter
  • Our environmental targets aim to reduce carbon emissions by 50%
focus on

Ideal for situations that require concentrated effort or attention on particular areas or subjects.

  • This semester, the course will focus on advanced programming techniques
  • She needs to focus on her strengths to succeed
aim at

Best used when describing the act of directing effort or purpose towards achieving something. This is often more casual and can be used in everyday conversation.

  • She aims at becoming the best student in her class
  • The new policy aims at improving the quality of healthcare
direct towards

Appropriate for formal contexts or when explicitly talking about where resources, efforts, or actions are being allocated.

  • The funding was directed towards scientific research
  • His criticism was directed towards the management team's handling of the issue

Examples of usage

  • The company targeted young adults with their new advertising campaign.
  • The marketing team targeted the local community for their promotion.
  • The campaign was successful in targeting the desired demographic.
  • The company has successfully targeted a new market segment.
  • The marketing strategy effectively targeted the intended audience.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Setting specific targets has been shown to increase motivation and performance among individuals and teams.
  • Research in goal-setting theory highlights that clear targets can lead to greater achievement compared to vague aspirations.
  • Targets can also create a sense of accountability, making individuals more likely to act toward reaching them.

Sports

  • In competitive sports, targets can represent specific performance goals, such as scoring a certain number of points.
  • Archery and shooting sports use physical targets to measure accuracy and skill.
  • Coaches often set targets for player development to help athletes improve in specific areas.

Business

  • Organizations use targets to outline sales goals, project deadlines, and performance metrics to track success.
  • SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) are used to create effective business targets.
  • In marketing, targeting the right audience is crucial for campaign success, ensuring messages reach the intended recipients.

Pop Culture

  • In video games, targets often refer to missions or objectives players need to achieve to progress.
  • Movies and literature sometimes use the concept of targets to symbolize personal challenges or hurdles characters must overcome.
  • Popular songs and motivational speakers often reference aiming for targets as a metaphor for pursuing dreams or aspirations.

Origin of 'targets'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'target' comes from the Old French 'terque', which means a small mark or aim.
  • In medieval times, the word referred to a wooden shield used for archery practice.
  • The concept evolved to represent not just physical marks, but also goals in various contexts like business and sports.

The word 'targets' originated from the Old French word 'targette', meaning 'small shield'. It was first used in the 14th century to refer to a shield or object to be aimed at in archery. Over time, the term evolved to include various objects or goals to be aimed at in different contexts, such as sports, marketing, and goal-setting.


See also: target, targeted, targeter, targeting.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,557, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.