aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce aspire (audio)
aspired; aspiring

intransitive verb

1
: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal
She aspired to a career in medicine.
2
aspirer noun

Examples of aspire in a Sentence

aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds a tower aspiring towards the heavens
Recent Examples on the Web Probably no one in the cast wanted to meet Hughes more than 23-year-old Robert Hayden, an aspiring poet who had grown up nearby in Paradise Valley. Tom Stanton, Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2024 Applications are accepted continuously, providing ongoing support to aspiring women in tech. Ebony Flake, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aspire 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aspire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspirare, literally, to breathe upon, from ad- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspire was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near aspire

Cite this Entry

“Aspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspire. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aspire

verb
as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r How to pronounce aspire (audio)
aspired; aspiring
: to work to get something high or great
aspirer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on aspire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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