Word
hoist
US/ˈhɔɪst/
UK/hˈɔɪst/
Definitions
01to lift something heavy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to lift something heavy into the air, often using ropes or a machine.
v. to raise or lift a heavy object, especially by means of tackle, pulleys, or mechanical apparatus.
“The construction workers used a crane to hoist the steel beams to the top floor.”
“The crew managed to hoist the mainsail just as the wind began to pick up, allowing the vessel to gain significant speed.”
02to lift a trophy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports
v. to lift a trophy high in the air to celebrate winning a competition.
v. to lift a trophy or prize aloft as a symbolic gesture of victory.
“The captain was the first to hoist the trophy after the final whistle.”
“After a grueling season, the team finally had the opportunity to hoist the championship cup in front of their home fans.”
03to steal
C1 · Advanced Slang
v. to steal something.
v. to commit theft or robbery.
“He got caught trying to hoist a watch from the jewelry store.”
“The local gang was known for hoisting expensive electronics from delivery trucks parked in the alleyway.”
04computing optimization
C2 · Proficiency Computing Technical
v. to move code to a different part of a program to make it run faster.
v. to move a declaration or operation out of a loop or to the top of a scope to optimize execution.
“The compiler will hoist the constant calculation out of the loop to save time.”
“By hoisting the variable declarations, the developer ensured that memory was allocated only once before the iterative process began.”
05a lifting machine
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a machine or device used for lifting heavy things.
n. a mechanical device used for lifting or lowering a load, such as an elevator or a pulley system.
“The garage has a hydraulic hoist to lift cars so the mechanic can work underneath.”
“The warehouse was equipped with an electric hoist capable of moving pallets weighing up to two tons.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; often used with 'up'.
Real-World Examples
“The Associated Press reported that one American soldier “hoisted an iron beam to his shoulder to free some trapped children,” only to lose his arm when the structure collapsed.” “McKayla pushed the kids up onto the roof before hoisting herself up.” Etymology
Alteration of earlier hoise (“to hoist”), apparently based on the past tense forms, from Middle Dutch hisen (“to hoist”). Compare modern Dutch hijsen (“to hoist”), German hissen (“to hoist”), Danish hejse (“to hoist”). Compare also French hisser (“to hoist”), Galician isar (“to hoist”), Spanish izar (“to hoist”), Catalan hissar (“to hoist”), Italian issare (“to hoist”), Portuguese içar (“to hoist”), Sicilian jisari (“to hoist”), all borrowed from a Germanic source.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/hoist