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

You have to give the union credit for hoisting Mr. Newsom on his own petard.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The hook and boom that once hoisted boats out of the water and onto the rock fell apart long ago.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They bask in confetti, hoist the Lombardi Trophy and then proclaim where they plan to celebrate their epic victory.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The German company that made the furniture hoist used in the Louvre heist has been taking advantage of the scandal to promote the device, posting tongue-in-cheek adverts about the quality of its equipment.

Read more on Barron's

In any case, simply pulling up the drawbridge, hoisting the “independence” flag, and pouring boiling scorn on the barbarians at the gate isn’t a viable response.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• erect 
• heave 
• pick up