I. ob ‧ jec ‧ tive 1 S3 W3 AC /əbˈdʒektɪv/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . something that you are trying hard to achieve, especially in business or politics SYN goal :
He vowed to achieve certain objectives before the end of his presidency.
the best way to accomplish your objectives
The degree program has two main objectives.
Managers should set specific performance objectives for their teams.
The main objective was to improve children’s knowledge of geography.
A clear objective was set and adhered to.
One of your first business objectives should be to get your own office.
2 . a place that you are trying to reach, especially in a military attack:
The 4th Division’s objective was a town 20 miles to the east.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have an objective
Our main objective is to reduce road accidents.
▪ set an objective (=decide what you are trying to achieve)
Pupils should be encouraged to set their own objectives.
▪ achieve/accomplish an objective ( also attain an objective formal )
The policy should help us achieve our objective of reducing paper waste.
▪ reach/meet an objective (=achieve an objective)
We need to control spending in order to meet our financial objectives.
▪ pursue an objective (=try to achieve something you want)
War has always been a means of pursuing national objectives.
■ adjectives
▪ the main/principal objective
This research project has three main objectives.
▪ the primary/prime objective (=the main one)
The primary objective of training is to improve performance.
▪ a key objective (= a very important objective)
Their economic strategy was based on a number of key objectives.
▪ a clear objective
A manager must give his team clear objectives to work towards.
▪ a specific objective
Most classroom activities have a specific learning objective.
▪ a stated objective (=what someone says their objective is)
The city’s stated objective was to improve housing in the area.
▪ a common objective (=one that people, countries etc share)
Our employees have a sense of common objectives and their commitment is high.
▪ an economic/military/business/political etc objective
We have made good progress towards meeting our business objectives.
■ phrases
▪ aims and objectives (=all the things someone wants to achieve)
The department should clearly state its aims and objectives.
II. objective 2 S3 AC BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ objectivity ; adverb : ↑ objectively ; adjective : ↑ objective ]
1 . based on facts, or making a decision that is based on facts rather than on your feelings or beliefs OPP subjective
objective assessment/measurement/description etc
It’s hard to give an objective opinion about your own children.
Scientists need to be objective when doing research.
purely/totally/completely objective
the importance of a completely objective, independent press
2 . formal existing outside the mind as something real, not only as an idea:
The world has an objective reality.
—objectivity /ˌɒbdʒekˈtɪvəti, ˌɒbdʒekˈtɪvɪti $ ˌɑːb-/ noun [uncountable]