aim

verb \ ˈām \

Updated on: 30 Nov 2017

Definition of aim

intransitive verb

1 : to direct a course; specifically : to point a weapon at an object

Aim carefully before shooting.

2 : aspire, intend

She aims to win.

transitive verb

1 a : point

aim a gun

b : to direct toward a specified object or goal

a story aimed at children

2 obsolete : guess, conjecture

See aim defined for English-language learners

See aim defined for kids

Examples of aim in a Sentence

He aimed the gun carefully before shooting.
Don't aim that pistol at me!
He aimed carefully before shooting.
Try to aim the antenna in the right direction.
She aimed the telescope at a point in the eastern sky.
She aimed at a point in the eastern sky.
He aimed the stone at the dog but missed.
The throw from the shortstop was poorly aimed.
well-aimed and badly aimed kicks
He aimed his criticism primarily at parents.

Recent Examples of aim from the Web

Boise State is aiming to improve the in-game experience at Albertsons Stadium.

— dave southorn, idahostatesman, "Boise State football fans guide vs. Nevada | Idaho Statesman," 3 Nov. 2017
So Grandpa John’s job on the boat is to help aim the big gun at the sky and try to shoot stuff down.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "The Itch and the Touch," 28 Oct. 2017
Regulators will closely watch price levels and stockpile changes to gauge potential manipulation by market participants, including producers, that are aimed at boosting prices, the National Development and Reform Commission said Friday.

— Bloomberg.com, "China to Inspect Coal Market for 'Malicious' Hoarding, Monopoly," 27 Oct. 2017
The customer can watch the entire delivery in real time on a phone, via the Cloud Cam that is aimed at the door.

— elizabeth weise, The Courier-Journal, "New Amazon Key lets the delivery driver leave packages inside the front door," 25 Oct. 2017
Whether your ideal snow day is enduring below-zero temperatures at Whistler or drinking Swiss Miss under a fleece snuggie, this candle aims to evoke the coziness of fresh powder.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "Madewell Now Sells Beauty! Here Are the Best 8 Products to Buy," 24 Oct. 2017
The deal, which won’t become final until approved by the City Council next month, aims to boost recruiting and retention as the number of city officers has dropped to about 1,800 — 13 percent less than a goal of 2,040.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Police union approves pay hikes that will push San Diego into top tier," 23 Oct. 2017
His latest book, Ruby the Foster Dog, and record, Ruby Toons, aim to help kids understand the foster-care system by sharing Ruby's adoption from her perspective.

— melissa bykofsky, Woman's Day, "Country Singer Jimmy Wayne Opens Up About How His Rescue Dog Changed His Life," 16 Oct. 2017
At their heart, the Alexander-Murray talks are about propping up the Affordable Care Act, while the president’s actions are aimed at unraveling the law with the hopes of bringing about its repeal.

— russell berman, The Atlantic, "Trump's Assault on Obamacare Could Revive a Deal in Congress," 13 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aim

Middle English, from Anglo-French aesmer & esmer; Anglo-French aesmer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + esmer to estimate, from Latin aestimare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

aim Synonyms

Synonyms

bend, cast, direct, head, hold, level, pinpoint, set, train

Related Words

sight; bear, face; concentrate, focus; incline, orient, steer

Near Antonyms

avert, curve, deflect, detour, divert, rechannel, shunt, sidetrack

aim

noun

Definition of aim

1 a : the pointing of a weapon at a mark

She took careful aim.

b : the ability to hit a target

a shooter with good aim

c : a weapon's accuracy or effectiveness

The gun's aim is off.

2 : a clearly directed intent or purpose

Our aim is to win.

3 obsolete

a : conjecture, guess

b : the directing of effort toward a goal

4 obsolete : mark, target

—

aimless

play \-ləs\ adjective

- aimless wandering
- an aimless youth

—

aimlessly

adverb

—

aimlessness

noun

See aim defined for English-language learners

Examples of aim in a Sentence

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.
He fired at the target but his aim was off and he missed.

Recent Examples of aim from the Web

Ganek sued two months after a federal appeals court issued a ruling that forced prosecutors to abandon a dozen cases and upended an investigation that took direct aim at Wall Street.

— chris dolmetsch, Bloomberg.com, "Fund Executive Ganek Can’t Sue Prosecutors for Firm’s Demise," 18 Oct. 2017
In a pair of tweets last week, Trump took direct aim at Clinton.

— hope yen, The Seattle Times, "Trump hypes mock video of golf ball seen striking Clinton," 17 Sep. 2017
On the campaign trail, O'Rourke takes aim at Cruz for spending time running for president instead of being focused on Texas.

— jeremy wallace, Houston Chronicle, "O'Rourke planning 100 BBQ events in Texas to boost Senate campaign," 3 Nov. 2017
The aim is to start a conversation about differences and diversity, support competitors, and build anticipation for the Olympics, one of the few worldwide events that brings together people across the globe.

— Health.com, "The New #LoveOverBias 2018 Winter Olympics Ad Will Move You To Tears," 2 Nov. 2017
The Republican tax bill released Thursday takes aim at high levels of pay at nonprofits, proposing a 20 percent tax on total remuneration over $1 million for the five highest paid employees at nonprofits.

— harold brubaker, Philly.com, "Republican tax proposal would whack nonprofit executive pay at Penn, Jeff and more," 2 Nov. 2017
This is plainly Aronofsky’s aim: not so much to entertain as to infect.

— laura beck, Cosmopolitan, "13 Times Critics Couldn't Believe How Weird JLaw's New Movie Mother! Is," 12 Sep. 2017
But, remember, when your aim is an ideal summer weekend upstate, the best rule of thumb is to wander and not rush, taking the time to drive along country roads with no destination in mind.

— sylvie morgan brown, Bon Appetit, "A Weekender's Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Shopping in the Hudson Valley," 10 July 2017
But a new study by DeCasien takes aim at this dominant theory by suggesting a different catalyst for brain development: fruit.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "What Really Made Primate Brains So Big?," 29 Mar. 2017

Origin and Etymology of aim

see ¹aim

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

aim Synonyms

Synonyms

goal, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing

Related Words

grail, holy grail; plot, project, scheme; desire, hope, mind, wish; nirvana; destination, terminus

Near Antonyms

means, method, way

Synonym Discussion of aim

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain. intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

- announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

- the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

- being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

- the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

- her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

- willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

- his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

- their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

- worked years to reach her goals

AIM

abbreviation

Definition of AIM

American Indian Movement

AIM Defined for English Language Learners

aim

verb

Definition of aim for English Language Learners

: to point (a weapon) at a target
: to point (a device) at something
: to direct (something, such as a missile, a ball, a punch, or a kick) at a target

aim

noun

Definition of aim for English Language Learners

: a goal or purpose
: the ability to hit a target

AIM Defined for Kids

aim

verb \ ˈām \

Definition of aim for Students

aimed; aiming

1 : to point a weapon toward an object

2 : intend

We aim to please.

3 : to direct toward an object or goal

He aimed the stone at the tree.

The exercise is aimed at improving balance.

History for aim

Both aim and estimate come from a Latin verb aestimare, meaning “to value” or “to estimate.” Through sound changes over the centuries aestimare became in Old French esmer, which meant “to aim, direct, or adjust,” as well as “to appreciate” and “to estimate.” English borrowed the word aim from the Old French word, and then took the word estimate directly from Latin.