aims

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of aim.

   The committee outlined its long-term aims at the first meeting.

   Their political aims diverged sharply once the campaign ended.

   Note

   The plural belongs almost entirely to the abstract meaning. Aims are goals and intentions, as in long-term aims or political aims. The concrete senses resist it: a marksman's aim, the skill of hitting a target, stays singular (her aim is steady), and so does the line of fire itself. When you meet aims in running prose, read it as purposes rather than pointing.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of aim.

   The archer aims at the center of the target and exhales slowly.

   The new policy aims to reduce traffic in the city center.

   Note

   Two constructions do most of the work here. With at, the verb directs something toward a target, either literal or verbal: she aims the rifle at the post, or he aims his criticism at the board. With an infinitive, it states a purpose: the plan aims to cut costs. Both aims at reducing and aims to reduce express intent, so either pattern is safe.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2