object
object Lexical Profile
object Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A material thing that has physical existence and can be seen, touched, or perceived by the senses.
"The archaeologist carefully brushed the dirt away from a small metallic object buried in the soil."
A person or thing toward which a specified action, thought, or emotion is directed.
"The historic cathedral has been an object of fascination for architectural scholars for centuries."
An intended goal, purpose, or objective toward which effort is directed.
"The main object of the council's meeting was to finalize the annual municipal budget."
In grammar, a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb or is governed by a preposition.
"In the sentence 'She read the book,' 'the book' serves as the direct object of the verb."
In computing, a discrete data construct in object-oriented programming that encapsulates both data attributes and the methods or procedures that operate on them.
"Each user profile in the software application is instantiated as a separate object with its own properties."
• verb
To express or feel disapproval, opposition, or disagreement toward something.
"Several residents objected to the city's proposal to build a highway near the local park."
To state a reason or argument in opposition to a claim, proposal, or legal proceeding.
"The defense attorney immediately stood up to object that the prosecutor's question was leading the witness."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'object' is a heteronym: as a noun, the stress falls on the first syllable (OB-ject), whereas as a verb, the stress falls on the second syllable (ob-JECT), which usually takes the preposition 'to'.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English via Old French from Medieval Latin 'obiectum' ('thing put before the mind or sight'), the neuter past participle of Latin 'obicere' ('to throw against or place before'), from 'ob-' ('against') and 'iacere' ('to throw').