heist

[hahyst]

noun

1. a robbery or holdup.

   Four men were involved in the armored car heist.

verb (used with object)

1. to take unlawfully, especially in a robbery or holdup; steal.

   to heist a million dollars' worth of jewels.

2. to rob or hold up.

heist

/ haɪst /

noun

1. a robbery

verb

1. (tr) to steal or burgle

Other Word Forms

• heister noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heist¹

1925–30, alteration of hoist

Word History and Origins

Origin of heist¹

variant of _hoist

Example Sentences

It is the latest in a recent string of heists at cultural institutions across France.

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The blind spot cost the Louvre precious minutes to stop a heist in which every second counted.

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Des Cars said she had tendered her resignation to the culture ministry after the heist but had been refused.

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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.

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The museum shut its doors after the daring heist, telling visitors who had booked ahead of time that they would be refunded.

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Related Words

• abduct 
• divert 
• loot 
• pilfer 
• plunder 
• ransack 
• remove 
• swipe 
• take