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lift

verb
\ˈlift \
lifted; lifting; lifts

Definition of lift 

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to raise from a lower to a higher position : elevate

b : to raise in rank or condition

c : to raise in rate or amount

2 : to put an end to (a blockade or siege) by withdrawing or causing the withdrawal of investing forces

3 : revoke, rescind lift an embargo

4a : steal had her purse lifted

b : plagiarize

c : to take out of normal setting lift a word out of context

5 : to take up (something, such as a root crop or transplants) from the ground

6 : to pay off (an obligation) lift a mortgage

7 : to move from one place to another (as by aircraft) : transport

8 : to take up (a fingerprint) from a surface

intransitive verb

1a : ascend, rise the rocket lifted off

b : to appear elevated (as above surrounding objects)

2 of inclement weather : to dissipate and clear

lift

noun (1)

Definition of lift (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : the amount that may be lifted at one time : load

2a : the action or an instance of lifting

b : the action or an instance of rising

c : elevated carriage (as of a body part)

d : the lifting up (as of a dancer) usually by a partner

3 : a device (such as a handle or latch) for lifting

4 : an act of stealing : theft

5a : assistance, help

b : a ride especially along one's way

6 : a layer in the heel of a shoe

7 : a rise or advance in position or condition

8 : a slight rise or elevation

9 : the distance or extent to which something rises

10 : an apparatus or machine used for hoisting: such as

a : a set of pumps used in a mine

b chiefly British : elevator sense 1b

c : an apparatus for raising an automobile (as for repair)

d : ski lift

11a : an elevating influence

b : an elevation of the spirit

12a : the component of the total aerodynamic force acting on an airplane or airfoil that is perpendicular to the relative wind and that for an airplane constitutes the upward force that opposes the pull of gravity

b : an updraft that can be used to increase altitude (as of a sailplane)

13 : an organized movement of people, equipment, or supplies by some form of transportation especially : airlift

14 : plastic surgery on a part of the body typically to improve a drooping or sagging appearance especially by reducing excess skin and fat a neck lift

lift

noun (2)

Definition of lift (Entry 3 of 3)

chiefly Scotland

: heavens, sky

Other Words from lift Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about lift

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Other Words from lift

Verb

liftable \ˈlif-​tə-​bəl \ adjective
lifter noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for lift

Synonyms: Verb

boost, crane, elevate, heave, heft, heighten, hike, hoist, jack (up), perk (up), pick up, raise, take up, up, uphold, uplift, upraise

Antonyms: Verb

drop, lower

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Choose the Right Synonym for lift

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

Verb

lift, raise, and hoist mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift is used for the act of bringing up especially from the ground. Lift those boxes onto the table. raise is used when there is a suitable or intended higher position to which something is brought. Raise the flag a little higher. hoist means use of pulleys to increase the force applied in raising something very heavy. Hoist the crates onto the ship.

Examples of lift in a Sentence

Verb

 The paramedics lifted the stretcher into the ambulance. lift a bucket of water He lifted his foot from the gas pedal. He lifted his pen from the paper. She lifted her hands to the sky. The story lifted him to national recognition.
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First Known Use of lift

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lift

Verb

Middle English, from Old Norse lypta; akin to Old English lyft air — more at loft

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English lyft

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Dictionary Entries near lift

Liffey

Lifford

LIFO

lift

lift a finger

lift bridge

lift down

Statistics for lift

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Time Traveler for lift

The first known use of lift was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for lift

lift

verb

English Language Learners Definition of lift

: to move (something or someone) to a higher position

: to rise up from the ground or some other surface

: to move (someone or something) to a higher condition or position

See the full definition for lift in the English Language Learners Dictionary

lift

verb
\ˈlift \
lifted; lifting

Kids Definition of lift

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to raise from a lower to a higher position, rate, or amount

2 : to rise from the ground The balloon lifted into the sky.

3 : to move upward and disappear or become scattered The haze lifted.

lift

noun

Kids Definition of lift (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the action or an instance of picking up and raising He showed his surprise with a lift of his eyebrows.

2 : an improved mood or condition The good test grade gave her a lift.

3 : a ride in a vehicle She gave me a lift to school.

4 chiefly British : elevator sense 1

5 : an upward force (as on an airplane wing) that opposes the pull of gravity

lift

noun
\ˈlift \

Medical Definition of lift 

: plastic surgery on a part of the body typically to improve a drooping or sagging appearance especially by reducing excess skin and fat … many plastic surgeons claim that doing a brow lift or a neck lift at an earlier age can help postpone more invasive face-lifts later on …— Liz Welch, Glamour, April 2001

Other Words from lift

lift transitive verb

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lift

transitive verb

Legal Definition of lift 

: to put an end to : make no longer effective lift the stay

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More from Merriam-Webster on lift

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with lift

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lift

Spanish Central: Translation of lift

Nglish: Translation of lift for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of lift for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lift

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