boost

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

Synonyms of boost

• hoist
• heave

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

She boosted the boy onto his father's shoulders.

boosted the child into her car seat

Recent Examples on the Web

That is, before an actual tornado sweeps through Pine Valley, right in the middle of a black-tie event and in time to boost summer ratings. —Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Officials from Taiwan and Japan are optimistic the route will boost tourism, foster trade and deepen bilateral ties. —Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

Much of the focus has been boosting the state film tax credit, even uncapping it, as a way to compete with other states and countries. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 June 2026

Continue reading … ATOMIC BACKSTOP — Another NATO ally signs onto European nuclear umbrella as continent boosts self-defense. —FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

of obscure origin

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at transitive 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