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to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous, especially for something great or of high value (usually followed by to, after, or an infinitive):
to aspire after literary immortality; to aspire to be a doctor.
Archaic. to rise up; soar; mount; tower.
Contemporary Examples

The Washington landscape is populated by myriad young women who aspire to be Barrish.
Robin Givhan: Dressing for Power on USA’s ‘Political Animals’ Robin Givhan August 7, 2012

And can be the leaders that we all aspire to be, even though our conditioning over the years may have prevented us from being it.
Africa’s Powerhouse Prez Lynn Sherr March 30, 2009

“I aspire to be as legendary on 60 Minutes as Mike Wallace,” she once boasted.
The Price Lara Logan Paid Howard Kurtz February 19, 2011

She is, as one member of the search committee noted, exactly the kind of woman that most Barnard students will aspire to be.
Big Woman on Campus Kate Taylor October 21, 2008

DB: As a child or as a student, did you aspire to the high position you have today?
Industry Trailblazer to Aspiring Women Pros: Stand Up and Be Counted Daily Beast Promotions November 13, 2011

Historical Examples

But one thing was clear: he could not aspire to the love of one of the queens of Earth.
Astounding Stories, May, 1931 Various

She could not aspire to be one of them, but she could be loyal, she could “stick up” for them.
Pee-wee Harris Percy Keese Fitzhugh

It was not for him, a soldier of fortune, without a penny beyond his pay, to aspire to the hand of a rich heiress.
With Frederick the Great G. A. Henty

We aspire to the top to look for Rest; it lies at the bottom.
Pax Vobiscum Henry Drummond

They are committed to memory by millions of Chinese who aspire to pass the public-service examinations.
Ten Great Religions James Freeman Clarke

verb (intransitive)
usually foll by to or after. to yearn (for) or have a powerful or ambitious plan, desire, or hope (to do or be something): to aspire to be a great leader
to rise to a great height
v.

“to strive for,” c.1400, from Old French aspirer “aspire to; inspire; breathe, breathe on” (12c.), from Latin aspirare “to breathe upon, to breathe,” also, in transferred senses, “to be favorable to, assist; to climb up to, to endeavor to obtain, to reach to, to seek to reach; infuse,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + spirare “to breathe” (see spirit (n.)). The notion is of “panting with desire,” or perhaps of rising smoke. Related: Aspired; aspiring.