boost

1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst 

boosted; boosting; boosts

transitive verb

1

: to push or shove up from below

boosted him up over the fence

2

: increase, raise

plans to boost production

an extra holiday to boost morale

3

: to promote the cause or interests of : plug

a campaign to boost the new fashions

4

: to raise the voltage of or across (an electric circuit)

5

slang : steal, shoplift

6

: to administer a booster shot to

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the practice of boosting people with a shot that's different from their primary series.

—Adria Cimino

Mr. Biden … pleaded with Americans to get vaccinated or boosted with an extra dose if they haven't already, saying the shots appeared to stave off deaths from the previous worrisome mutation, the delta variant.

—Tom Howell, Jr.

intransitive verb

slang : shoplift

boost

2 of 2

noun

1

: a push upward

gave her a boost into the saddle

2

: an act that brings help or encouragement : assist

an innovation that has been a boost to the entire industry

3

: an increase in amount

a boost in prices

Synonyms

Verb

• hoist
• heave

Noun

• support
• help
• assist
• assistance
• lift
• aid
• encouragement

Choose the Right Synonym for boost

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position.

lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

Examples of boost in a Sentence

Verb

She boosted the boy onto his father's shoulders.

boosted the child into her car seat

Noun

a boost in wheat production

Exercise can sometimes provide a boost of energy.

After layoffs at the company, employees needed a boost in morale.

One company's innovation has proven to be a boost to the entire industry.

Give the boy a boost onto the stage, will you?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

FTZs have a long history dating back to a previous period of trade conflict, created during the Great Depression by Congress to encourage international trade and boost exports at time when the Smoot-Hawley tariffs were as high as 53%. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 12 July 2025

But sometimes the simplest, easiest and most lucrative option is staying put and figuring out strategies right in front of your eyes that can save you the stress of job hopping and boost your annual salary to boot. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

Noun

Dayton, a small community near Chattanooga, had lost a factory to bankruptcy and needed the boost. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 13 July 2025

The state’s total prison population is up about 7% since the compensation boost took effect. —Mario Koran, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

of obscure origin

Noun

noun derivative of boost entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1801, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for boost

• loosed
• roost
• sluiced
• adduced
• conduced
• deduced
• induced
• produced
• reduced
• seduced
• traduced
• transduced

Kids Definition

boost

1 of 2 verb

ˈbüst 

1

: to push or shove up from below

2

: to increase in force, power, or amount

boost production

boost prices

3

: further entry 2, raise

boost morale

4

: to support enthusiastically : plug

boost

2 of 2 noun

1

: a push upward

2

: an increase in amount

a boost in production

3

: an act that gives help or encouragement

Medical Definition

boost

transitive verb

ˈbüst 

: to administer a booster shot to

Cape Cod is getting assistance from the state in vaccinating and boosting people against COVID-19 with 12 free public vaccination clinics …

—Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Massachusetts)

… the Anne Arundel County Department of Health would like to remind visitors to the Annapolis celebrations to get vaccinated (or boosted), wear a mask, and maintain distance.

—US Fed News