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
William Shakespeare2
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
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
objectlessness
noun
objected; objecting; objects
: to put forth in opposition or as an objection
objected that the statement was misleading
1
: to oppose something firmly and usually with words or arguments
2
: to feel distaste for something
: of, relating to, or being object code
an object file
Synonyms
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
Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Each object within their home sparks etched memories and emotional tension.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Julia Rodgers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Black residents in Ogden similarly objected to a proposal earlier that year that would've banned them from housing north of Washington Boulevard.
—Erin Alberty, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for object 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Decomposition Depends on Placement in Space For inorganic objects like a piece of metal, for example, the process of decomposition would take much longer in space.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Each object within their home sparks etched memories and emotional tension.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
What if one person wants to use them to achieve pregnancy and the other person objects?
—Julia Rodgers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Black residents in Ogden similarly objected to a proposal earlier that year that would've banned them from housing north of Washington Boulevard.
—Erin Alberty, Axios, 4 Nov. 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
See all Example Sentences for object
Articles Related to object
Dictionary Entries Near object
Cite this Entry
“Object.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/object. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
object
1 of 2 noun
ob·ject
ˈäb-jikt 
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
Medical Definition
object
noun
ob·ject
ˈäb-(ˌ)jekt, -jikt
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
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
: to state in opposition or as an objection
objected that the evidence was inadmissible
: to state opposition especially to something in a judicial proceeding
objected to the testimony on the ground that it was hearsay
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