hijack

American  

[hahy-jak] / ˈhaɪˌdʒæk /

Or highjack

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to engage in such stealing or seizing.

noun

1. an act or instance of hijacking.

hijack British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act or an instance of hijacking

Other Word Forms

• antihijack adjective
• hijacker noun

Etymology

Origin of hijack

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

Example Sentences

One of the most explosive claims Brooklyn made is that Lady Beckham "hijacked" the first dance at his wedding, which - he says - had been planned "weeks in advance" to a romantic love song.

From BBC

Another major blow came when the club let the potential signing of Eze drag on so long that Arsenal seized the opportunity to hijack his move from Crystal Palace.

From BBC

The 26-year-old also said his mother had "hijacked" his first dance with Peltz, which had been "planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song".

From BBC

Released in 1979, a couple of years before Collins hijacked the charts with “In the Air Tonight,” it did moderately well.

From Los Angeles Times

The late author’s message held lessons about life, but we’ll hijack it for one about financial markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• carjack
• commandeer
• kidnap
• steal