lift

1 of 3

verb

ˈlift 

lifted; lifting; lifts

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

4

a

: 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

1

a

: ascend, rise

the rocket lifted off

b

: to appear elevated (as above surrounding objects)

2

of inclement weather : to dissipate and clear

liftable

ˈlif-tə-bəl 

adjective

lifter noun

lift

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

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

2

a

: 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

5

a

: 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

11

a

: an elevating influence

b

: an elevation of the spirit

12

a

: 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

3 of 3

noun (2)

chiefly Scotland

: heavens, sky

Synonyms

Verb

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

Noun (1)

• abetment
• aid
• assist
• assistance
• backing
• boost
• hand
• help
• helping hand
• leg up
• support

Choose the Right Synonym for lift

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

Example Sentences

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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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The child was handed a teddy bear before being wheeled to the deck, placed in a metal basket and lifted alongside her mother into an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from San Diego. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2023

The mangled vehicle finally came to a stop back on track, and safety workers quickly emerged to check on Kirkwood and lift the car to help the Andretti Autosport driver climb from the car. —Ellen J. Horrow, USA TODAY, 28 May 2023

Yes, historic reductions in spending, consequential reforms that will lift people out of poverty into the work force, rein in government overreach. —CBS News, 28 May 2023

In reality, the advertisement features footage lifted from Musk’s appearance at a TED event in 2022. —Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 27 May 2023

This grueling upper body workout from trainer J Malik makes a great close out to a lifting session, or do it a few times over to get a full workout in. —Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 26 May 2023

Anthony lifts his gun and fires a single shot, striking Brown in the chest. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 26 May 2023

The bill was championed by Democratic Sen. Omar Fateh, of Minneapolis, who was lifted into the air by drivers outside the Senate chamber right after the bill passed Sunday. —Steve Karnowski, Fortune, 26 May 2023

According to a police report, surveillance video found by police from local businesses and residents showed Baskin and Dinkins lifting the man into the dumpster. —The Arizona Republic, 26 May 2023

Noun

That promises to be a heavy lift for both Mr. McCarthy and Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader, who must now cobble together a coalition of House Republicans and Democrats to push it through. —Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 28 May 2023

For musicians and audiences, a full house is an emotional lift. —Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, 25 May 2023

What triggered this the May 25 takeoff was a huge lift in guidance that investors took as proof that Nvidia is already beginning to ride A.I. to one of the fastest profit explosions ever. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 25 May 2023

His surge is a huge lift for a Brewers pitching staff that is dealing with shoulder injuries to two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff, Eric Lauer, Wade Miley and Aaron Ashby. —Steve Megargee, Chron, 24 May 2023

But the Supreme Court’s lift of the stay at that time did not address Smith’s choosing nitrogen hypoxia instead of lethal injection. —Ivana Hrynkiw | [e-mail], al, 15 May 2023

Six miles high, the atmosphere becomes thick enough to produce lift. —Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 8 May 2023

Along with 35-inch Goodyear Territory Mud-Terrain tires and fancy Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, the AT4X features a 1.5-inch suspension lift, tough skid plates, and an electronically locking rear differential. —Car and Driver, 1 May 2023

The figure makes for a 12-6 lift on the overall Streaming Songs chart and a third week at the summit on Latin Streaming Songs. —Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English lyft

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing lift

• eye lift
• dead lift
• J-bar lift
• face-lift
• lift weights
• hitch a lift
• lift a finger
• ski lift
• lift one's gaze
• lift truck
• lift down
• lift the lid on

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• eye lift
• dead lift
• J-bar lift
• face-lift
• lift weights
• hitch a lift
• lift a finger
• ski lift
• lift one's gaze
• lift truck
• lift down
• lift the lid on

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Kids Definition

lift

1 of 2 verb

ˈlift 

1

: to move to a higher position, rate, or amount

2

: to rise from the ground

planes lifting from the runway

the rocket lifted off

3

: to stop or remove often temporarily

lift a blockade

lift a ban

4

: to move upward and disappear or become scattered

when the fog lifts

lifter noun

lift

2 of 2 noun

1

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

2

: the action or an instance of lifting

3

: help especially in the form of a ride

can I give you a lift?

4

a

chiefly British : elevator sense 1b

b

: a device for carrying people up or down a mountain

5

: a raising of the spirits

their visit gave me a lift

6

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

Medical Definition

lift

noun

ˈlift 

: 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

lift transitive verb

Legal Definition

lift

transitive verb

: to put an end to : make no longer effective

lift the stay