hoist

verb

\ ˈhȯist

, chiefly dialectal ˈhīst

hoisted; hoisting; hoists

Definition of hoist

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : lift, raise especially : to raise into position by or as if by means of tackle hoist a flag hoist the sails Cargo was hoisted up into the ship.

2 : drink sense 1 hoist a few beers

intransitive verb

: to become hoisted : rise let it hoist to the upper deck

hoist

noun

Definition of hoist (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act of raising or lifting : an act of hoisting (see hoist entry 1) gave him a hoist over the wall

2 : an apparatus (such as a tackle or a hydraulic lift) for lifting or raising : an apparatus for hoisting (see hoist entry 1)

3 : the height of a flag when viewed flying a flag with a 20-foot hoist

Other Words from hoist Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about hoist

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Choose the Right Synonym for hoist

Verb

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 hoist in a Sentence

Verb

The steel girders were hoisted into place and securely welded. The engine was hoisted out with a winch. The cargo was hoisted up onto the ship. He stopped at a bar after work to hoist a few beers with his friends. She hoisted a last-second shot that would have won the game if it had gone in.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

On Saturday Syrian troops hoisted national flags at the border crossing point three years after losing it to rebels. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Some Syrians return home although risks remain," 9 July 2018 On Saturday Syrian troops hoisted national flags at the border crossing point, three years after losing it to rebels. — BostonGlobe.com, "Thousands who fled recent fighting in Syria return home," 8 July 2018 In February, a group of about 50 who claim the park discriminates against non-Hispanics gathered to hoist the American flag at an area where Aztlan and La Raza flags fly. — Rob Nikolewski, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chicano Park, site of recent tensions, celebrates its cultural heritage in San Diego," 21 Apr. 2018 Demonstrators took to the streets of the capital against the strikes, hoisting Syrian flags and pictures of President Assad. — Rebecca Collard / Beirut, Time, "With Bravado, the Syrian Government Responds to U.S.-Led Attacks," 14 Apr. 2018 Video footage on social media appeared to show Turkish soldiers hoisting Turkish flags atop administrative buildings in town. — Erdem Aydin, WSJ, "Turkish Forces Take Syrian City Afrin From Kurdish Militia," 18 Mar. 2018 Helmke recalls meeting Whitcomb and helping hoist a special sesquicentennial flag. — Will Higgins, Indianapolis Star, "That time Indy cops feared 'leftists' could slip LSD to Richard Nixon," 3 Jan. 2018 But then last month the extremists rolled into Inuwa’s hometown, Baga, firing into the air, hoisting flags and claiming it as their own. — Haruna Umar, The Seattle Times, "Islamic militants’ deadly resurgence threatens Nigeria polls," 12 Feb. 2019 Miyako waited, eyebrows hoisted like the cables on a suspension bridge, but the story ended with that. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Two unlikely cops are paired up to solve murders in a war-torn Tokyo in Ninth Step Station," 8 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Officials reattached the flags to the broken metal hoist but were unable to raise them again. — John Pye, Fox News, "Sun celebrates Asian Games win, upset over flag malfunction," 19 Aug. 2018 An operator prepares to lift a coil of aluminium with a hoist at a production facility in eastern France operated by Constellium. — Bob Tita, WSJ, "Foreign Aluminum Producers Shake Off U.S. Tariffs," 26 Oct. 2018 In April, Laura and Kevin Moore were disheartened to realize early on in their vacation to Disney World with son William that there were no changing hoists in any of the park’s public bathrooms, the Daily Mail reported on June 5. — Janine Puhak, Fox News, "Disney World slammed by parents of disabled child for ‘disgraceful’ lack of changing facilities," 5 June 2018 The hoist did the work of two men, never faltering and never once complaining. — Logan Ward, Popular Mechanics, "How to Build a Treehouse in the Backyard," 20 Mar. 2017 The new 7 North hoist features a 40-ton capacity, and operates at a speed of 900 feet per minute through the 1,451-foot-deep shaft. — William Thornton, AL.com, "Kay Ivey at opening of new $19 million Warrior Met Coal portal," 2 May 2018 Firefighters placed ladders into the recess and used a hoist to pull the man up to ground level. — Peter Hermann, Washington Post, "Man falls in 10-foot-deep recess at White House complex," 15 June 2018 The movers zipped him up in the stretcher and hooked it to a hoist. — Andy Newman, New York Times, "How Do You Move a Shark? Very Carefully," 16 May 2018 The French doors in the studio could be replaced with a garage door and steel beam ceiling construction in the studio would allow for the use of a hoist. — Margaret Demarino, courant.com, "Property of the week: 95 West Road, Canton," 6 July 2017

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