highjack
[ hahy-jak ]
/ ˈhaɪˌdʒæk /
verb (used with or without object), noun
Nearby words
Definition for highjack (2 of 2)
hijack
or high·jack
[ hahy-jak ]
/ ˈhaɪˌdʒæk /
verb (used with object)
to steal (cargo) from a truck or other vehicle after forcing it to stop: to hijack a load of whiskey.
to rob (a vehicle) after forcing it to stop: They hijacked the truck before it entered the city.
to seize (a vehicle) by force or threat of force.
to skyjack.
verb (used without object)
to engage in such stealing or seizing.
noun
an act or instance or hijacking.
Origin of hijack
Related formsan·ti·hi·jack, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for highjack (1 of 2)
Derived Formshighjacker, noun
British Dictionary definitions for highjack (2 of 2)
hijack
highjack
/ (ˈhaɪˌdʒæk) /
verb
(tr) to seize, divert, or appropriate (a vehicle or the goods it carries) while in transitto hijack an aircraft
to rob (a person or vehicle) by forceto hijack a traveller
(esp in the US during Prohibition) to rob (a bootlegger or smuggler) of his illicit goods or to steal (illicit goods) in transit
noun
the act or an instance of hijacking
Derived Formshijacker or highjacker, noun
Word Origin for hijack
C20: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for highjack
hijack
1922, American English, perhaps from high(way) + jacker "one who holds up." Originally "to rob (a bootlegger, smuggler, etc.) in transit;" sense of "seizing an aircraft in flight" is 1968 (also in 1961 variant skyjack), extended 1970s to any form of public transportation. Related: Hijacked; hijacking.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper