Aim

to position or direct (a firearm, ball, arrow, rocket, etc.) so that, on firing or release, the discharged projectile will hit a target or travel along a certain path.
to intend or direct for a particular effect or purpose:
to aim a satire at snobbery.
to point or direct a gun, punch, etc., toward:
He aimed at the target but missed it.
to strive; try (usually followed by to or at):
We aim to please. They aim at saving something every month.
to intend:
She aims to go tomorrow.
to direct efforts, as toward an object:
The satire aimed at modern greed.
Obsolete. to estimate; guess.
the act of aiming or directing anything at or toward a particular point or target.
the direction in which a weapon or missile is pointed; the line of sighting:
within the cannon’s aim.
the point intended to be hit; thing or person aimed at:
to miss one’s aim.
something intended or desired to be attained by one’s efforts; purpose:
whatever his aim in life may be.
Obsolete. conjecture; guess.
take aim, to sight a target:
to take aim and fire.
American Indian Movement.
Contemporary Examples

The aim should be to provide the conditions under which a Palestinian state can function autonomously.
What We Didn’t Know About Israel’s Agreement to Renew Negotiations with the Palestinians Elisheva Goldberg October 30, 2013

It just seemed Monday night, as it has throughout, that her aim was off.
Mitch McConnell-Alison Lundergan Grimes Debate Leaves Kentucky Hanging Sam Youngman October 13, 2014

But according to adult star Kristina Rose, the fears plaguing the industry began before the shutdown of aim.
Porn’s New HIV Problem Richard Abowitz September 1, 2011

As with previous HIV scares, many in the adult industry are questioning the status quo of aim controls.
The HIV Porn Scare Richard Abowitz October 12, 2010

And we aim to fix that compass and steer the ship ourselves from now on.
Michael Moore: America Is Not Broke Michael Moore March 6, 2011

Historical Examples

You can rest your gun between his ears if you like, only you could not get so steady an aim.
First in the Field George Manville Fenn

We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life.
United States Presidents’ Inaugural Speeches Various

The muzzle of his rifle wobbled more than ever when he tried to aim.
Jack Ranger’s Gun Club Clarence Young

My whole study and aim was to do right—to be just to my hands and do my duty to my employer.
Biography of a Slave Charles Thompson

He had no great prize to aim for, and his combative nature required one.
The Grey Lady Henry Seton Merriman

verb
to point (a weapon, missile, etc) or direct (a blow) at a particular person or object; level
(transitive) to direct (satire, criticism, etc) at a person, object, etc
(intransitive; foll by at or an infinitive) to propose or intend: we aim to leave early
(intransitive; often foll by at or for) to direct one’s efforts or strive (towards): to aim at better communications, to aim high
noun
the action of directing something at an object
the direction in which something is pointed; line of sighting (esp in the phrase to take aim)
the object at which something is aimed; target
intention; purpose
abbreviation
(in Britain) Alternative Investment Market
v.

early 14c., “to estimate, calculate,” also “to intend,” from Old French aesmer “value, rate; count, estimate,” from Latin aestimare “appraise” (see estimation); current meaning apparently developed from “esteem,” to “calculate,” to “calculate with a view to action” (c.1400), then to “direct a missile, a blow, etc.” (1570s). Related: Aimed; aiming.
n.

early 14c., “target;” late 14c., “guess;” from aim (v.). Meaning “action of aiming” is from early 15c. (to take aim, originally make aim); that of “thing intended, purpose” is from 1620s.
American Indian Movement
In addition to the idiom beginning with aim also see: take aim