object — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A thing that has physical existence but is not alive.

2. Objective; goal, end or purpose of something.

   Examples

   Money is an Object to you? Money is an Object to me.

   More examples (4)

   And yet it may be proper to show that if time were an object, little, if any thing, would necessarily be gained by sprinkling in place of immersion, where a large number had to be baptized.

   […] to secure first-class men you must either hold out a temptation of money, if money is an object to them, or if it is not, then after a certain number of years' service, perhaps, some honour to be bestowed upon them; one or the other, I think, ought to be given to secure the best men that you can.

   I think, if a captain had plenty of time to spare, and was not going on to any other port, he would prefer going into harbor; but if time were an object with him, and he wished to get away as quickly as possible, he would go to the pier outside.

   2000, Phyllis Barkas Goldman & John Grigni, Monkeyshines on Ancient Cultures The object of tlachtli was to keep the rubber ball from touching the ground while trying to push it to the opponent's endline.

3. The noun phrase which is an internal complement of a verb phrase or a prepositional phrase. In a verb phrase with a transitive action verb, it is typically the receiver of the action.

4. A person or thing toward which an emotion is directed.

   Examples

   Mary Jane had been the object of Peter's affection for years.

   The convertible, once the object of his desire, was now the object of his hatred.

   More examples (1)

   Where's your object of ridicule now?

5. A person or thing toward which an emotion is directed. A cause for attention or concern.

   Usage

   • in the negative

   Synonyms

   focus

   Examples

   the object of a strongly worded censure

   Money is no object to him.

6. An instantiation of a class or structure.

7. An instance of one of the two kinds of entities that form a category, the other kind being the arrows (also called morphisms).

   Examples

   Similarly, there is a category whose objects are groups and whose arrows are the homomorphisms from one group to another.

8. Sight; show; appearance; aspect.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   c. 1610s, George Chapman, Batrachomyomachia He, advancing close / Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose / In glorious object.

Verb

1. To disagree with or oppose something or someone; (especially in a Court of Law) to raise an objection.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   I object to the proposal to build a new airport terminal.

   We strongly object to sending her to jail for ten years.

   More examples (1)

   “It’s only a few minutes from Nankang to Hsichih, my friends. Kindly make room for the lady,” the driver was all unctuous smiles, and spoke as though nobody was going to object after he had given the word.

2. To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   We thanke you both, yet one but flatters vs, As well appeareth by the cauſe you come, Namely, to appeale each other of high treaſon. Cooſin of Hereford, what doſt thou obiect Againſt the Duke of Norfolke, Thomas Mowbray?

   He 'gan to him object his heinous Crime,

   There are others who will object the poverty of the nation.

   More examples (1)

   The book […] giveth liberty to object any crime against any such as are to be ordered.

3. To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   early 17th century, Edward Fairfax, Godfrey of Bulloigne: or The recovery of Jerusalem. Of less account some knight thereto object, / Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove.

   c. 1678, Richard Hooker, a sermon some strong impediment or other objecting itself

   Pallas to their eyes / The mist objected, and condens'd the skies.

Noun

1. a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

   Synonyms

   physical object

   Broader terms

   physical entity

   Examples

   it was full of rackets, balls and other objects

2. the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)

   Synonyms

   aimobjectivetarget

   Broader terms

   goalend

   Examples

   the sole object of her trip was to see her children

3. (grammar) a constituent that is acted upon

   Broader terms

   constituentgrammatical constituent

   Examples

   the object of the verb

4. the focus of cognitions or feelings

   Broader terms

   contentcognitive contentmental object

   Examples

   objects of thought

   the object of my affection

5. (computing) a discrete item that provides a description of virtually anything known to a computer

   Broader terms

   computer sciencecomputing

   Examples

   in object-oriented programming, objects include data and define its status, its methods of operation and how it interacts with other objects

Verb

1. express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent

   Broader terms

   disapprovereject

   Examples

   She never objected to the amount of work her boss charged her with

   When asked to drive the truck, she objected that she did not have a driver's license

2. be averse to or express disapproval of

   Broader terms

   dislike

   Examples

   My wife objects to modern furniture