aimed; aiming; aims
1
: to direct a course
specifically
: to point a weapon at an object
Aim carefully before shooting.
1
a
: point
aim a gun
b
: to direct toward a specified object or goal
a story aimed at children
2
obsolete
: guess, conjecture
plural aims
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
see also take aim at
American Indian Movement
Synonyms
Examples of aim in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
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 on the Web
Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024
The Driving Force Institute, one of the largest producers of educational history films in the US, aims to solve the nationwide deficit of history knowledge with immersive and digestible short films created to enhance schooling systems and teaching methods.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
In addition to the arena, Meruelo aims to build an entertainment district in north Phoenix.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2024
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. aims to vote on a measure in coming weeks, according to people with knowledge of the initiative, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential deliberations.
—Lydia Beyoud, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Through this experience, the Ford team aims to create an empowering space where women can immerse themselves in adventure, skill-building, and the sheer thrill of off-roading while celebrating their love for exploration and the outdoors.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Apr. 2024
The theme aims to raise awareness of plastic pollution, reduce single-use plastic consumption, demand an end to fast-fashion, invest in technologies that can reduce plastic use and demand a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2024.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2024
That law aims to improve safety by increasing visibility for drivers, pedestrians and others in crosswalks and intersections — a practice known as daylighting.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
The Davenport, which opened a few weeks ago at 401 N. Sixth St., doesn’t aim to replicate that aesthetic.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
The Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England have all sharply raised rates with the aim of slowing inflation to around 2%.
—Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
Fifty years ago, millions of people across the United States showed up at thousands of events with the aim of creating a cleaner environment.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
In a display of solidarity with Gaza residents and with the aim of ending the war there, members of Iran’s axis stepped up attacks against Israel and U.S. facilities with Tehran’s vocal support.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
Our aim is for photography to act as an activation device, to generate new relationships and experiences.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
But elsewhere, the company has struck partnerships with local carriers, with the aim of using their licensed radio spectrum to send the internet data to customers' phones.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults 60 and younger aim for at least seven hours of sleep a night.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 10 Apr. 2024
The aim, the agency says, is to move the separate spacecraft to some 144 meters apart, with the Occulter, as a disc, blocking out the sun.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
Then Gentry aims and shoots Cubbie with an arrow, fatally wounding the bear.
—Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024
The Driving Force Institute, one of the largest producers of educational history films in the US, aims to solve the nationwide deficit of history knowledge with immersive and digestible short films created to enhance schooling systems and teaching methods.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
In addition to the arena, Meruelo aims to build an entertainment district in north Phoenix.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2024
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. aims to vote on a measure in coming weeks, according to people with knowledge of the initiative, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential deliberations.
—Lydia Beyoud, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Through this experience, the Ford team aims to create an empowering space where women can immerse themselves in adventure, skill-building, and the sheer thrill of off-roading while celebrating their love for exploration and the outdoors.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Apr. 2024
The theme aims to raise awareness of plastic pollution, reduce single-use plastic consumption, demand an end to fast-fashion, invest in technologies that can reduce plastic use and demand a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2024.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2024
That law aims to improve safety by increasing visibility for drivers, pedestrians and others in crosswalks and intersections — a practice known as daylighting.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
The Davenport, which opened a few weeks ago at 401 N. Sixth St., doesn’t aim to replicate that aesthetic.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Noun
Having caught the boot bug, Parker drifted into work with other Lone Star custom makers including the Kimmel Boot Company and the Wheeler Boot Company before setting up his own shop in 2014, with the aim of producing bespoke footwear at the same level of English and European houses.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
The Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England have all sharply raised rates with the aim of slowing inflation to around 2%.
—Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
Fifty years ago, millions of people across the United States showed up at thousands of events with the aim of creating a cleaner environment.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
In a display of solidarity with Gaza residents and with the aim of ending the war there, members of Iran’s axis stepped up attacks against Israel and U.S. facilities with Tehran’s vocal support.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
Our aim is for photography to act as an activation device, to generate new relationships and experiences.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
But elsewhere, the company has struck partnerships with local carriers, with the aim of using their licensed radio spectrum to send the internet data to customers' phones.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults 60 and younger aim for at least seven hours of sleep a night.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 10 Apr. 2024
The aim, the agency says, is to move the separate spacecraft to some 144 meters apart, with the Occulter, as a disc, blocking out the sun.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near aim
Cite this Entry
“Aim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aim. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aim
2 of 2 noun1
: the directing of a weapon or a missile at a mark
2
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