hoist

[hoist, hahyst]

verb (used with object)

1. to raise or lift, especially by some mechanical appliance.

   to hoist a flag; to hoist the mainsail.

   Synonyms: elevate
   Antonyms: lower

2. to raise to one's lips and drink; drink (especially beer or whiskey) with gusto.

   Let's go hoist a few beers.

3. Archaic.,  a simple past tense and past participle of hoise.

noun

1. an apparatus for hoisting, as a block and tackle, a derrick, or a crane.

2. act of hoisting; a lift.

   Give that sofa a hoist at your end.

3. Nautical.

   1. the vertical dimension amidships of any square sail that is hoisted with a yard.

   2. the distance between the hoisted and the lowered position of such a yard.

   3. the dimension of a fore-and-aft sail along the luff.

   4. a number of flags raised together as a signal.

4. (on a flag)

   1. the vertical dimension as flown from a vertical staff.

   2. the edge running next to the staff.

hoist

/ hɔɪst /

verb

1. (tr) to raise or lift up, esp by mechanical means

2. See petard

noun

1. any apparatus or device for hoisting

2. the act of hoisting

3. See rotary clothesline

4. nautical

   1. the amidships height of a sail bent to the yard with which it is hoisted Compare drop

   2. the difference between the set and lowered positions of this yard

5. nautical the length of the luff of a fore-and-aft sail

6. nautical a group of signal flags

7. the inner edge of a flag next to the staff Compare fly 1

Other Word Forms

• hoister noun
• unhoisted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoist¹

First recorded in 1540–50; later variant of hoise, with -t as in against, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoist¹

C16: variant of hoise, probably from Low German; compare Dutch hijschen, German hissen

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hoist by / with one's own petard. petard.

Synonym Study

See raise.

Example Sentences

I hoisted my flask in the air, took a small swig and splashed some in front of where he rested.

From Los Angeles Times

“You don’t have to like flag burning. You can condemn it, debate it, or hoist your own flag even higher,” the organization said in a social media post.

From Salon

He learned English on the boardwalk, finding solace on the basketball courts, carving his way into a community he hoists on his shoulders today.

From Los Angeles Times

The Italians showed their joy at winning another Grand Slam title - and proving a point to tournament organisers - by Vavassori hoisting Errani into the air.

From BBC

The vast red timber structure in Kiruna dating back to 1912 has been hoisted on giant rolling platforms ahead of the move to the new city centre.

From BBC

Related Words

• erect 
• heave 
• pick up