1.
aim; sighting; gunsight; crosshairs
The act of aiming at a target, or the sighting device used to aim. Also used figuratively to mean targeting or focusing on something.
Originally a military/shooting term for aiming or sighting, now also used figuratively to mean targeting or focusing on a goal, issue, or objective.
Common collocations
- 照準を合わせる: to take aim, to target
- 照準を定める: to fix one's aim on
- 照準器: sighting device, gunsight
- 照準を絞る: to narrow one's aim
Usage
In figurative use, 照準を合わせる is very common in news and business writing to describe focusing efforts or policies on a particular issue. The literal military usage refers to aiming firearms or weapons.
Etymology
照 (illuminate, shine on) + 準 (standard, level) — the idea of aligning one's sight with the target.