boost

1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst 

boosted; boosting; boosts

transitive verb

1

: to push or shove up from below

boosted him up over the fence

2

: increase, raise

plans to boost production

an extra holiday to boost morale

3

: to promote the cause or interests of : plug

a campaign to boost the new fashions

4

: to raise the voltage of or across (an electric circuit)

5

slang : steal, shoplift

6

: to administer a booster shot to

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the practice of boosting people with a shot that's different from their primary series.

—Adria Cimino

Mr. Biden … pleaded with Americans to get vaccinated or boosted with an extra dose if they haven't already, saying the shots appeared to stave off deaths from the previous worrisome mutation, the delta variant.

—Tom Howell, Jr.

intransitive verb

slang : shoplift

boost

2 of 2

noun

1

: a push upward

gave her a boost into the saddle

2

: an act that brings help or encouragement : assist

an innovation that has been a boost to the entire industry

3

: an increase in amount

a boost in prices

Synonyms

Verb

• heave
• heft
• hoist
• jack (up)
• upheave

Noun

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

Choose the Right Synonym for boost

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 boost in a Sentence

Verb

She boosted the boy onto his father's shoulders.

boosted the child into her car seat

Noun

a boost in wheat production

Exercise can sometimes provide a boost of energy.

After layoffs at the company, employees needed a boost in morale.

One company's innovation has proven to be a boost to the entire industry.

Give the boy a boost onto the stage, will you?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Brewers including Carlsberg expect better weather to boost sales this summer after a washout last year that saw people avoid going to the pub and ultimately drink less beer. —Chloé Meley, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024

During her last visit to Beijing, Yellen dramatically boosted business for a Yunnan restaurant chain and its mushroom dish after her delegation was spotted dining there. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024

To preservation advocates, the benefits of such efforts speak for themselves – studies have shown that green spaces boost mental health; encourage more healthy, active lifestyles; and even boost property values. —Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024

The Eclipse Could Bring $1.5 Billion Into States on the Path of Totality During the 2017 eclipse, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all dispatched portable towers to boost coverage along the eclipse’s path. —Simmone Shah, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024

Britain will send a Royal Navy ship to boost aid to Gaza through an international maritime corridor and an upcoming U.S.-led temporary pier, the Foreign Office said in a statement. —Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

Oil prices are now boosting US inflation after subtracting from it at the end of last year. —Lucia Kassai, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024

Soundbars are a great way to boost your audio profile without setting up a ton of speakers. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 5 Apr. 2024

The Fever wouldn’t disclose how many tickets have been sold, but the likelihood of signing Clark is already boosting the franchise and in turn attendance. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024

Noun

While Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson don’t need the extra attention from Beyoncé, the legacy artist most likely to get the biggest boost from her presence on the album is Linda Martell, the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024

Maine 12-month inflation: 1.9% Maine got a big boost during the pandemic as residents of larger New England cities such as Boston moved to the less populated area, Kamins says. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

Major football tournaments provide less of a boost to the chain than rival operators because JD Wetherspoon only shows the big games and is less centered around sports. —Chloé Meley, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024

Gasoline stockpiles on the populous East Coast are tightening and manufacturing activity in the US and China is also signaling a boost in fuel use. —Lucia Kassai, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024

In the Betty is Back, this little teaspoon of St. Germain gives an ever-so-gentle fleshiness to the orange fruit, with a floral boost. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024

Still, simply by naming these artists, Beyoncé has given them a demonstrable boost in streams and fans. —Leah Asmelash, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Contains weight loss compounds - Green tea also has caffeine, which can help the body to burn fat more efficiently while also offering a mild energy boost. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Infused with top-grade Delta 10 THC, this THC cartridge may deliver a greater sense of creativity and inspiration alongside offering an energy boost. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

of obscure origin

Noun

noun derivative of boost entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1801, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

boost

1 of 2 verb

ˈbüst 

1

: to push or shove up from below

2

: to increase in force, power, or amount

boost production

boost prices

3

: further entry 2, raise

boost morale

4

: to support enthusiastically : plug

boost

2 of 2 noun

1

: a push upward

2

: an increase in amount

a boost in production

3

: an act that gives help or encouragement

Medical Definition

boost

transitive verb

ˈbüst 

: to administer a booster shot to

Cape Cod is getting assistance from the state in vaccinating and boosting people against COVID-19 with 12 free public vaccination clinics …

—Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Massachusetts)

… the Anne Arundel County Department of Health would like to remind visitors to the Annapolis celebrations to get vaccinated (or boosted), wear a mask, and maintain distance.

—US Fed News