uplift

1 of 2

verb

up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift 

uplifted; uplifting; uplifts

transitive verb

1

: to lift up : elevate

especially : to cause (a portion of the earth's surface) to rise above adjacent areas

2

: to improve the spiritual, social, or intellectual condition of

intransitive verb

: rise

uplifter noun

uplift

2 of 2

noun

up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift 

1

: an act, process, result, or cause of uplifting: such as

a(1)

: the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface

(2)

: an uplifted mass of land

b

: a bettering of a condition especially spiritually, socially, or intellectually

c(1)

: influences intended to uplift

(2)

: a social movement to improve especially morally or culturally

2

: a brassiere designed to hold the breasts up

Synonyms

Verb

• lift
• elevate
• raise

Examples of uplift in a Sentence

Verb

music that uplifts the soul

geologic forces that uplifted the mountains

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Power couple Nicole Avant and Ted Sarandos were honored for their long-standing commitment to education and uplifting Los Angeles’ youth and beyond. —Giana Levy, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025

Since 2012, Edward Bohannon, known behind the turntables as DJ E, has used his platform to uplift local artists and highlight underrepresented voices. —Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

Noun

The competition can offload more AI work to server-side processing, and with it, an uplift in accuracy, speed, and capability. —Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

This followed an uplift earlier this year when the incentives delivered by DFFF and GMPF rose from 25% to 30% of the German spend, which comes as a non-repayable grant. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

circa 1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

uplift

1 of 2 verb

up·​lift (ˌ)əp-ˈlift 

1

: to lift up : elevate

2

: to improve the spiritual, mental, or social condition of

uplift

2 of 2 noun

up·​lift ˈəp-ˌlift 

1

: an act, process, or result of uplifting

especially : the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface

2

: moral or social improvement or a movement to make such improvement