uplift

1 of 3

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

music that uplifts the soul

intransitive verb

: rise

uplifter noun

uplift

2 of 3

noun (1)

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 bra designed to hold the breasts up

uplifter

3 of 3

noun (2)

up·​lift·​er

ˌəpˈliftə(r)

: one that uplifts

especially : a person engaged in or devoted to the improvement of society

Synonyms of uplift

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

Her life offers a powerful blueprint for selfless advocacy, demonstrating how to use one's position to uplift others and challenge injustice. — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Eight weeks after the fire, Chambers' apartment is still in disarray, but her spirit has been uplifted by Evans. — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

According to the study, the resulting uplift would have created steep terrain and high ground that could be intensely eroded over long periods. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

The additional uplift also supports the company’s growing Heavyweight Express offering, enabling customers to move shipments larger than 50 kilograms through the DHL Express international time-definite network via air. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

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