aim
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
aims;
aimed;
aiming
aims;
aimed;
aiming
Britannica Dictionary definition of AIM
1
a
:
to point (a weapon) at a target
[+ object]
-
He aimed the gun carefully before shooting.
-
Don't aim that pistol at me!
[no object]
-
He aimed carefully before shooting.
-
Ready, aim, fire!
b
:
to point (a device) at something
[+ object]
-
aim a camera
-
Try to aim the antenna in the right direction.
-
She aimed the telescope at a point in the eastern sky.
[no object]
-
She aimed at a point in the eastern sky.
c
:
to direct (something, such as a missile, a ball, a punch, or a kick) at a target
[+ object]
-
He aimed the stone at the tree but missed.
-
The throw from the shortstop was poorly/badly aimed.
-
well-aimed and badly aimed kicks/punches
[no object]
-
He aimed for the corner of the goal.
2
:
to have a specified goal or purpose
— often + at
— often + for
[no object]
-
If you want to be successful, you have to aim high. [=you have to be ambitious]
-
The movie aims at comedy [=the movie is intended to be a comedy], but it really isn't very funny.
-
a political movement that aims at promoting world peace
-
The movie aims for comedy.
-
aim for a goal
-
If you're trying to lose weight, you should give yourself a goal/target to aim for.
[+ object]
— followed by to + verb
-
a political movement that aims to promote world peace
-
They aim [=intend] to reform the government.
-
We aim [=plan] to arrive there at around noon.
-
We aim to please.
3
[+ object]
:
to direct (something) at a particular goal, group of people, etc.
— usually used as (be) aimed
-
He aimed his criticism primarily at parents.
-
His criticism was aimed primarily at parents.
-
The television program is aimed directly/primarily at children. [=is intended mainly for children]
-
The new system is aimed at reducing costs. [=the purpose of the new system is to reduce costs]
-
a political movement that is aimed at promoting world peace
2
aim
/ˈeɪm/
noun
plural
aims
2
aim
/ˈeɪm/
noun
plural
aims
Britannica Dictionary definition of AIM
1
[count]
:
a goal or purpose
-
a political movement whose aim is to promote world peace
-
Our ultimate aim is to create something of lasting value.
-
The book has two basic aims.
-
She was unable to achieve her aims.
-
I started this business with the aim of making a profit.
2
[noncount]
:
the ability to hit a target
-
His aim was good.
-
He fired at the target but his aim was off/bad and he missed.
take aim
1
:
to point a weapon at a target
-
He took careful aim at the target. [=he aimed carefully at the target]
2
US
:
to have a specified goal or intention
-
The runner took aim at setting a record. [=the runner's goal was to set a record]
3
:
to have something as the object of an action or effort
-
Investigators are taking aim at [=targeting] health-care fraud. [=investigators are intending to punish/stop health-care fraud]
