# lifting

/ˈɫɪftɪŋ/ (US) · /lˈɪftɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lifting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. moving upward

verb · CEFR A2

the act of picking something up or moving it to a higher level.

For teachers: the action of raising an object to a higher position or level.

- Lifting heavy boxes all day made his back feel very sore.
- The construction crew spent the morning lifting steel beams into place using a massive crane positioned at the center of the site.

### 2. ending a rule

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

removing a rule, a ban, or a limit.

For teachers: the formal removal or rescinding of a legal restriction, ban, or embargo.

- The government is finally lifting the travel ban next month.
- The lifting of trade sanctions led to a rapid increase in cross-border investment and renewed diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.

### 3. weight training

noun · CEFR B1

the sport or exercise of picking up heavy weights to get stronger.

For teachers: the activity or sport of weightlifting, typically for physical conditioning or competition.

- She goes to the gym three times a week for some heavy lifting.
- His training regimen focuses primarily on power lifting to build the explosive strength required for professional rugby.

### 4. cosmetic surgery

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a medical operation to make your face look younger by tightening the skin.

For teachers: a surgical procedure intended to reduce signs of aging by tightening facial tissues.

- She decided against a surgical lifting and chose a simpler treatment instead.
- Advancements in cosmetic lifting techniques have significantly reduced recovery times and minimized visible scarring for patients.

### 5. stealing

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

taking something that does not belong to you, especially from a shop.

For teachers: the act of stealing or shoplifting; taking property without permission.

- The store manager caught a teenager lifting a pair of sunglasses.
- The security team was alerted to a professional group specialized in lifting high-value electronics from department stores during peak hours.

## Examples

- He is lifting the heavy box onto the shelf.
- The government is finally lifting the travel restrictions after three months of lockdown.
- By lifting the embargo, the administration hoped to foster a new era of diplomatic cooperation and economic growth between the two long-estranged nations.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.