hijack

Or high·jack

[hahy-jak]

verb (used with object)

1. to steal (cargo) from a truck or other vehicle after forcing it to stop.

   to hijack a load of whiskey.

2. to rob (a vehicle) after forcing it to stop.

   They hijacked the truck before it entered the city.

3. to seize (a vehicle) by force or threat of force.

4. to skyjack.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in such stealing or seizing.

noun

1. an act or instance of hijacking.

hijack

/ ˈhaɪˌdʒæk /

verb

1. (tr) to seize, divert, or appropriate (a vehicle or the goods it carries) while in transit

   to hijack an aircraft

2. to rob (a person or vehicle) by force

   to hijack a traveller

3. (esp in the US during Prohibition) to rob (a bootlegger or smuggler) of his illicit goods or to steal (illicit goods) in transit

noun

1. the act or an instance of hijacking

Other Word Forms

• hijacker noun
• antihijack adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hijack¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; back formation from hijacker

Word History and Origins

Origin of hijack¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Spurs had been close to signing him from Palace before the Gunners hijacked the move.

From BBC

Police said two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, have been arrested as they investigate a case of attempted murder and attempted hijacking.

From BBC

But the musical belongs to Juliet, and Webb has the vocal prowess to hijack the stage whenever she’s soaring in song.

From Los Angeles Times

He filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court seeking to fire Democratic legislator, Gene Wu, whom he called the "ringleader" of a plot to "hijack" state government.

From BBC

The crackdown targets an increasingly common tactic in which criminals hijack WhatsApp accounts or add users to group chats promoting fake investment schemes and other scams.

From BBC

Related Words

• carjack 
• commandeer 
• kidnap 
• steal