object

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: something material that may be perceived by the senses
I see an object in the distance.
b
: something that when viewed stirs a particular emotion (such as pity)
Look on the tragic loading of this bed … the object poisons sight; let it be hid.William Shakespeare
2
a
: something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed
an object for study
the object of my affection
delicately carved art objects
b
: something physical that is perceived by an individual and becomes an agent for psychological identification
The mother is the primary object of the child.
3
a
: the goal or end of an effort or activity : purpose, objective
Their object is to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The object of the game is to score the most points.
b
: a cause for attention or concern
Money is no object.
4
: a thing that forms an element of or constitutes the subject matter of an investigation or science
objects of study
5
a
: a noun or noun equivalent (such as a pronoun, gerund, or clause) denoting the goal or result of the action of a verb (such as ball in I hit the ball)
b
: a noun or noun equivalent in a prepositional phrase (such as table in on the table)
6
a
: a data structure in object-oriented programming that can contain functions (see function entry 1 sense 7) as well as constants, variables, and other data structures
b
: a discrete entity (such as a window or icon) in computer graphics (see graphic entry 2 sense 2b) that can be manipulated independently of other such entities
objectless
ˈäb-jikt-ləs How to pronounce object (audio)
-(ˌ)jekt-
adjective
objectlessness noun

object

2 of 3

verb

ob·​ject əb-ˈjekt How to pronounce object (audio)
objected; objecting; objects

transitive verb

: to put forth in opposition or as an objection
objected that the statement was misleading

intransitive verb

1
: to oppose something firmly and usually with words or arguments
2
: to feel distaste for something
objector noun

object

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being object code
an object file
Choose the Right Synonym for object

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain.

intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

Examples of object in a Sentence

Noun There were three objects in the box: a comb, a pen, and a button. His object is to determine how much the business will cost to operate. Verb No one objected when the paintings were removed. “We can't buy the chair,” he objected. “It won't fit in the car.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Some of them are surprisingly charismatic in shape, resembling miniature forms of common objects that range from a boot to a boat. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 But none of the objects interpreted as piercings had previously been directly associated with body parts where they may have been worn. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 That's a measure of how much energy is needed to increase the temperature of the object. Rhett Allain, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2024 Behind her bands of flowers variously real or stylized or morphing into decorative objects, a veritable sketch of the Secession-Werkstätte achievement. Roberta Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Among the most important variables in feng shui is an object’s standing in the overall footprint of the home, and one of the most common methods of keeping attuned to that is by using a bagua map. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 That night and the night before, some demonstrators had thrown bricks, water bottles, rocks and other objects at police; one Park Police officer had been hospitalized. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Characters are also hit on the head with various objects. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Stay away from water, wet items, and metal objects. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Prominent lawmakers in both parties also have objected to the purchase by a foreign buyer of a once-iconic U.S. industrial power. Jeff Stein, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast objected, saying Metzke testified he gets notified of when to report to base, is given an assignment and then carries it out. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 That bill’s author, Rep. Kendall Culp, R-Rensselaer, objected to those changes and the school chaplain language was removed, effectively killing the proposal. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024 Republicans on the committee objected to Ortiz's apology. The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The complaint alleges that the federal government concocted illegitimate reasons for expediting the survey, forgoing a process that would have allowed mining companies to object. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 For the first time on Monday the company directly addressed these concerns while objecting to a bill in the Kansas House that would force it to divest from their property in Kansas. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Water users, particularly Barrick Gold, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, objected to the bill, which then failed to become law. Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Arizona Republican lawmaker disciplined for misconduct after 2020 election suits Rep. Neal Carter, R-San Tan Valley, also objected based on O’Connor’s judicial credentials. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
But just shooting an object head-on without any movement is very dull. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 29 Aug. 2022 The case raises the important question of whether the testimony and result will serve as object lessons for investors confronted with cheery promises in the future. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2022 One of these, game playing, combines social, locomotive and object play. Caitlin O'Connell, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'object.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English object, objecte "something presented to the senses, purpose, objection," borrowed from Latin objectum "something presented to the senses, charge, accusation" (Medieval Latin also, "something presented to the mind, goal, aim"), noun derivative from neuter of objectus, past participle of obicere, objicere "to throw in the way, place against, put forward, present (to the eyes, mind, etc.), cite as a ground for disapproval," from ob- "against, in the way" + jacere "to throw, cast" — more at ob-, jet entry 3

Verb

Middle English objecten, in part borrowed from Latin objectus, past participle of obicere, objicere "to throw in the way, put forward, cite as a ground for disapproval or criticism," in part borrowed from Latin objectāre "to throw before, put in the way, cite as a ground for disapproval," frequentative of obicere — more at object entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of object entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of object was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near object

Cite this Entry

“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/object. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

object

1 of 2 noun
ob·​ject ˈäb-jikt How to pronounce object (audio)
1
: something that can be perceived by the senses
I see an object in the distance
2
: something that is the target of thought or feeling
an object of study
the object of my affections
3
: the goal or purpose of some activity
the object is to raise money
4
: a noun or term behaving like a noun that receives the action of a verb or completes the meaning of a preposition
5
: something (as an icon or window) on a computer screen that can be moved or used by itself
objectless adjective

object

2 of 2 verb
ob·​ject əb-ˈjekt How to pronounce object (audio)
1
: to offer or mention as an objection
objected that the price was too high
2
: to oppose something firmly usually with words
objected to the plan
objector noun

Medical Definition

object

noun
1
: something material that may be perceived by the senses
2
: something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed

Legal Definition

object

1 of 2 noun
ob·​ject ˈäb-jikt How to pronounce object (audio)
1
: something toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed see also natural object
2
: the purpose or goal of something
especially, in the civil law of Louisiana : the purpose for which a contract or obligation is formed

object

2 of 2 transitive verb
ob·​ject əb-ˈjekt How to pronounce object (audio)
: to state in opposition or as an objection
objected that the evidence was inadmissible

intransitive verb

: to state opposition especially to something in a judicial proceeding
objected to the testimony on the ground that it was hearsay

More from Merriam-Webster on object

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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