# hoist

/ˈhɔɪst/ (US) · /hˈɔɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hoist
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to lift something heavy

verb · CEFR B2

to lift something heavy into the air, often using ropes or a machine.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used with 'up' as a phrasal verb: 'hoist up'.

### 2. to lift a trophy

verb · CEFR B2

to lift a trophy high in the air to celebrate winning a competition.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to steal

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang

to steal something.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. computing optimization

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to move code to a different part of a program to make it run faster.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. a lifting machine

noun · CEFR B2

a machine or device used for lifting heavy things.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The workers hoist the heavy crates onto the ship.
- The construction crew used a crane to hoist the steel beams to the top floor of the skyscraper.
- After the victory, the sailors worked together to hoist the ceremonial flag, signaling their successful return to the harbor after months at sea.

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