boost

verb \ ˈbüst \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of boost

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

intransitive verb

slang : shoplift

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Examples of boost in a Sentence

She boosted the boy onto his father's shoulders.
boosted the child into her car seat

Recent Examples of boost from the Web

The company said the moves would boost profit margins and push free cash flow to at least $450 million by 2020 -- more than double last year's level.

— chicagotribune.com, "Buffett seen mulling strong-arm tactics in Knauf's USG showdown," 12 Apr. 2018
Cocoa plantations can imitate natural forests, helping to restore native plant and wildlife species, boosting water resources, and absorbing carbon dioxide, Mr. Goncalves said.

— marcy nicholson and marcelo teixeira, The Christian Science Monitor, "Brazil plants chocolate forests to save the Amazon," 12 Apr. 2018
Workers removed fats from the digesters and other tanks during the shutdown and since that time, the tribe has invested more than $300,000 in equipment upgrades to boost efficiency of the digesters and prevent further problems, Crawford said.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Potawatomi's $20 million waste-to-energy plant violated wastewater permit with excessive discharges," 12 Apr. 2018
So far, Riyadh has public support from other OPEC countries for continuing the cuts, but privately some nations are increasingly worried that Saudi Arabia is trying to boost oil prices too high, the same people said.

— javier blas, Houston Chronicle, "Are Saudis pushing OPEC for $80 a barrel oil?," 10 Apr. 2018
Numerous small-mill owners, timber-dependent businesses and a land manager with Cook Inlet Region Inc. pressed for approval of the deal Tuesday night to boost the struggling industry in the borough and reduce fire danger.

— zaz hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Mat-Su floats major new timber venture. But is it too good to be true?," 8 Apr. 2018
The move follows a wave of reforms spearheaded by the 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who hopes that reinvigorating the country’s entertainment industry will help boost the economy and reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil.

— flora carr, Fortune, "AMC Just Won Saudi Arabia’s First Cinema License in 35 Years," 5 Apr. 2018
For grocery stores and other retailers, private labels are a way to boost profitability and eliminate the national-brand middleman.

— katherine peralta, charlotteobserver, "Here's a sneak peek inside Charlotte's newest grocery store right before it opens | Charlotte Observer," 3 Apr. 2018
To sustain the rebound in growth, Pinera needs to boost productivity and diversify the economy, Abadia said.

— Bloomberg.com, "Pinera Sworn In as Chile’s President With Major Task Ahead," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'boost.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of boost

of obscure origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1801

See Words from the same year

boost Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.