boost

1 of 2

verb

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.

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
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
The end of Red Bull’s era of dominance has boosted ticket sales ahead of the US Grand Prix, according to Austin circuit boss Bobby Epstein. Dan Cancian, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 So, waiting for a high-odds day (like a temperature drop when a buck is on a consistent daylight pattern) and hunting fewer total days can boost your odds of tagging a specific buck. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
Hogan received a boost today when Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent from West Virginia, announced his endorsement for the former governor. Hans Nichols, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024 Declining inflation is expected to give a boost to consumers’ purchasing power. Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for boost 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of boost was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near boost

Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boost. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

boost

1 of 2 verb
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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on boost

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!