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Definition of objective noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

objective

noun
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/əbˈdʒektɪv/
 
/əbˈdʒektɪv/
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  1.  
     something that you are trying to achieve synonym goal
    • the primary/principal/key objective
    • The main objective of this meeting is to give more information on our plans.
    • How does the project fit with our strategic objectives?
    • the government's policy objectives
    • to achieve/meet/accomplish your objectives
    • to set/state/define your objectives
    • You must set realistic aims and objectives for yourself.
    • What are the organization's goals and objectives?
    Synonyms targettargetobjective ▪ goal ▪ object ▪ endThese are all words for something that you are trying to achieve.target a result that you try to achieve:
    • Set yourself targets that you can reasonably hope to achieve.
    • attainment targets in schools
    objective (rather formal) something that you are trying to achieve:
    • What is the main objective of this project?
    goal something that you hope to achieve:
    • He continued to pursue his goal of becoming an actor.
     target, objective or goal?A target is usually officially recorded in some way, for example by an employer or by a government committee. It is often specific, and in the form of figures, such as number of sales or exam passes, or a date. People often set their own objectives: these are things that they wish to achieve, often as part of a project or a talk they are giving. Goals are often long-term, and relate to people’s life and career plans or the long-term plans of a company or organization.object the purpose of something; something that you plan to achieve:
    • The object is to educate people about road safety.
    end something that you plan to achieve:
    • He joined the society for political ends.
    • That’s only OK if you believe that the end justifies the means (= bad methods of doing something are acceptable if the final result is good).
    End is usually used in the plural or in particular fixed expressions.    Patterns
    • to work towards a(n) target/​objective/​goal
    • a(n) ambitious/​major/​long-term/​short-term/​future target/​objective/​goal
    • economic/​financial/​business targets/​objectives/​goals
    • to set/​agree on/​identify/​reach/​meet/​exceed a(n) target/​objective/​goal
    • to achieve a(n) target/​objective/​goal/​end
    Extra Examples
    • The review sought to establish key objectives.
    • The party is radical in its objectives.
    • The two groups are pursuing a common objective.
    • We need to establish a clear objective.
    • We succeeded in our prime objective of cutting costs.
    • a set of agreed objectives
    • I was afraid of failing to achieve my objectives.
    • What is the main objective of this project?
    • The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of monetary policy on agricultural prices in four Asian countries.
    Topics Successb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • first
    • key
    • main
    • …
    verb + objective
    • have
    • accomplish
    • achieve
    • …
    preposition
    • in an/​the objective
    • objective of
    See full entry
  2. (also objective lens)
     (specialist) the lens in a telescope or microscope that is nearest to the object being looked at
    3. Word Originearly 17th cent.: from medieval Latin objectivus, from objectum ‘thing presented to the mind’, neuter past participle (used as a noun) of Latin obicere, from ob- ‘in the way of’ + jacere ‘to throw’.
See objective in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee objective in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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