hijack

Or high·jack

[hahy-jak]

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in such stealing or seizing.

noun

1. an act or instance of hijacking.

hijack

/ 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

noun

1. the act or an instance of hijacking

Other Word Forms

• antihijack adjective
• hijacker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hijack¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hijack¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Could the tech be hijacked by terrorists and used as an enormous weapon, or what if it decides for itself that humanity is the cause of the world's problems and destroys us?

Read more on BBC

So it’s not a surprise that the right would want to hijack it for themselves.

Read more on Salon

As a result, Mr Farrow believes different groups have since been able to hijack them as their own symbols.

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In 1970, a group of young Japanese zealots hoping to ignite a communist revolution hijacked a passenger plane and demanded to be flown to Pyongyang.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was installed on all 727s after the hijacking to prevent further Cooper capers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carjack 
• commandeer 
• kidnap 
• steal