Item vs. Object: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Item" refers to a distinct, individual unit, often listed or part of a collection, while "Object" is a more general term for any physical or tangible thing.
Key Differences
"Item" is commonly used to specify an individual thing, especially as part of a list or collection. "Object," in contrast, refers broadly to any material thing that can be seen or touched.
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Nov 22, 2023
In context, an "item" often has a particular purpose or value within a set or system. An "object," however, can be any physical entity, regardless of its role or function.
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Nov 22, 2023
"Item" can imply something more specific and identifiable, like an item on a menu or in a store. "Object" is a wider term, encompassing any physical entity, from a rock to a piece of furniture.
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Nov 22, 2023
In usage, "item" is often related to commerce, inventory, or collection. "Object," however, is a more generic term used in various disciplines, from art to physics.
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Nov 22, 2023
The term "item" can also suggest a topic or point of discussion. In contrast, "object" can also refer to the aim or target of an action or thought.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Common Associations
Commerce, inventory, collections
Broad range of physical entities
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Nov 22, 2023
Additional Meanings
Can imply a topic or discussion point
Can refer to a goal or target
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Nov 22, 2023
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Item and Object Definitions
Item
A distinct unit within a list or collection.
Please add bread to the shopping item list.
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Nov 22, 2023
Object
A material thing that can be seen and touched.
She admired the ancient object displayed in the museum.
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Nov 22, 2023
Item
A topic or subject of discussion.
Our discussion's main item was the upcoming event.
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Nov 22, 2023
Object
The target or focus of an action or feeling.
His object of affection was oblivious to his feelings.
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Nov 22, 2023
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Object
A thing external to the thinking mind or subject.
Philosophers debate the nature of the object and perception.
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Nov 22, 2023
Object
Anything that is visible or tangible.
The room was filled with various objects from her travels.
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Nov 22, 2023
Object
A specific, individual, material entity, especially one that is not living or not sentient.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
A focus of attention, feeling, thought, or action
A product that was so bad it became an object of derision.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A romantically involved couple
"[They] soon began seeing each other ... and were an item for a year and a half." (Peter J. Boyer).
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
A limiting factor that must be considered
Since money is no object, let's eat at that fancy place.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
Also; likewise. Used to introduce each article in an enumeration or list.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
The purpose, aim, or goal of a specific action or effort
The object of the game.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
A noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives or is affected by the action of a verb within a sentence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A distinct physical object.
Tweezers are great for manipulating small items.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
A noun or substantive governed by a preposition and typically following it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A line of text having a legal or other meaning; a separate particular in an account.
The items in a bill
In response to the first item, we deny all wrongdoing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
A discrete item than can be selected and maneuvered, such as an onscreen graphic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
(psychometrics) A question on a test, which may include its answers.
The exam has 100 items, each of which includes a correct response and three distractors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
In object-oriented programming, a structure that combines data and the procedures necessary to operate on that data.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A matter for discussion in an agenda.
The first item for discussion is the budget for next year's picnic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
To present a dissenting or opposing argument; raise an objection
Objected to the testimony of the witness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
(informal) Two people who are having a romantic or sexual relationship with each other.
Jack and Jill are an item.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
To be averse to or express disapproval of something
Objects to modern materialism.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
To put forward in or as a reason for opposition; offer as criticism
They objected that discipline was lacking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
(grammar) 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
A person or thing toward which an emotion is directed.
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.
Where's your object of ridicule now?
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
(object-oriented programming) An instantiation of a class or structure.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
An article; a separate particular in an account; as, the items in a bill; he picked up four items at the drug store.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
(category theory) An instance of one of the two kinds of entities that form a category, the other kind being the arrows (also called morphisms).
Similarly, there is a category whose objects are groups and whose arrows are the homomorphisms from one group to another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A hint; an innuendo.
A secret item was given to some of the bishops . . . to absent themselves.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A short article in a newspaper; a paragraph; as, an item concerning the weather.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
(intransitive) To disagree with or oppose something or someone; (especially in a Court of Law) to raise an objection.
I object to the proposal to build a new airport terminal.
We strongly object to sending her to jail for ten years.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A topic or piece of information having the salacious character of gossip, especially a romantic relation between two people; as, I hear that the boss and his new secretary are an item.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list;
He noticed an item in the New York Times
She had several items on her shopping list
The main point on the agenda was taken up first
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.
Of less account some knight thereto object,Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove.
Some strong impediment or other objecting itself.
Pallas to their eyesThe mist objected, and condensed the skies.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A whole individual unit; especially when included in a list or collection;
They reduced the price on many items
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.
He gave to him to object his heinous crime.
Others object the poverty of the nation.
The book . . . giveth liberty to object any crime against such as are to be ordered.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A small part that can be considered separately from the whole;
It was perfect in all details
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
To make opposition in words or argument; to express one's displeasure; - usually followed by to; as, she objected to his vulgar language.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
An isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole;
Several of the details are similar
A point of information
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
That which is put, or which may be regarded as put, in the way of some of the senses; something visible or tangible and persists for an appreciable time; as, he observed an object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in the dark.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
An individual instance of a type of symbol;
The word`error' contains three tokens of `r'
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
Anything which is set, or which may be regarded as set, before the mind so as to be apprehended or known; that of which the mind by any of its activities takes cognizance, whether a thing external in space or a conception formed by the mind itself; as, an object of knowledge, wonder, fear, thought, study, etc.
Object is a term for that about which the knowing subject is conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the "materia circa quam."
The object of their bitterest hatred.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
(used when listing or enumerating items) also;
A length of chain, item a hook
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
That toward which the mind, or any of its activities, is directed; that on which the purpose are fixed as the end of action or effort; that which is sought for; goal; end; aim; motive; final cause.
Object, beside its proper signification, came to be abusively applied to denote motive, end, final cause . . . . This innovation was probably borrowed from the French.
Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
An individual article or unit.
The most expensive item in the auction was a painting.
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Nov 22, 2023
Object
Sight; show; appearance; aspect.
He, advancing closeUp to the lake, past all the rest, aroseIn glorious object.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A particular object or thing mentioned.
The next item on the agenda is the budget report.
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Nov 22, 2023
Object
A word, phrase, or clause toward which an action is directed, or is considered to be directed; as, the object of a transitive verb.
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Oct 19, 2023
Item
A piece of news or information.
The newspaper featured an interesting item on local history.
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Nov 22, 2023
Object
Any set of data that is or can be manipulated or referenced by a computer program as a single entity; - the term may be used broadly, to include files, images (such as icons on the screen), or small data structures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
Anything which exists and which has attributes; distinguished from attributes, processes, and relations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
A tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow;
It was full of rackets, balls and other objects
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
The focus of cognitions or feelings;
Objects of thought
The object of my affection
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
Express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent;
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Object
Be averse to or express disapproval of;
My wife objects to modern furniture
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is an 'object'?
An object is any thing that is tangible or visible, often used in a general sense.
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Nov 22, 2023
What does 'object' mean in programming?
In programming, an 'object' refers to an instance of a class, encapsulating data and behavior.
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Nov 22, 2023
What is an 'item'?
An individual unit or distinct part of a collection, list, or set.
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Nov 22, 2023
How is 'item' used in everyday language?
It's commonly used to refer to a single thing, especially among a list of things, like grocery items.
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Nov 22, 2023
Is 'item' used in programming?
Yes, 'item' can refer to an element in a data structure or collection in programming.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
How is 'object' used in everyday language?
'Object' often refers to a physical thing that can be seen or touched.
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Nov 22, 2023
Is 'object' used in legal language?
Yes, in legal terms, 'object' can refer to a material thing that can be possessed or controlled.
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Nov 22, 2023
Is 'item' used in journalism?
Yes, it can refer to an individual news story or piece of information.
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Nov 22, 2023
Can 'item' and 'object' be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but 'item' often refers to something on a list or part of a collection, whereas 'object' is more general.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can 'item' refer to non-physical things?
Yes, it can also refer to abstract parts of a list, like ideas or agenda items.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does 'object of desire' mean?
It refers to something that is strongly wanted or wished for.
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Nov 22, 2023
What does 'object' mean in grammar?
In grammar, it's a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb in a sentence.
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Nov 22, 2023
Can 'item' imply something of importance?
It can, especially when highlighting a particular thing on a list or in a collection.
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Nov 22, 2023
Can 'item' be used romantically?
Informally, 'item' can refer to a couple or pair of people in a romantic relationship.
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Nov 22, 2023
How is 'object' used in art?
In art, it can refer to the subject of a work or a physical piece created by an artist.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What is a 'menu item'?
It's a specific food or beverage option listed on a menu.
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Nov 22, 2023
Is 'item' used in business contexts?
Yes, it can refer to a unit for sale, a part of a meeting agenda, or a topic of discussion.
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Nov 22, 2023
Can 'object' refer to a goal or purpose?
Yes, it can mean a goal or aim, like the object of an exercise.
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Nov 22, 2023
What is a 'collector's item'?
A unique or rare object valued by collectors.
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Nov 22, 2023
Does 'object' have a philosophical meaning?
Yes, in philosophy, it often refers to something external to the mind or perceived by the senses.
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Nov 22, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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Hifza Nasir
