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

But between Sackett and EPA’s careful new wording, it won’t prove as easy to hijack as in the past.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

By layering these techniques, the researchers built the clearest picture yet of how TFE3 oncofusions hijack RNA to build cancer's growth hubs.

From Science Daily • Oct. 22, 2025

He scoffed at the idea extremists might hijack any of the demonstrations.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2025

The Hammers' hijack effectively cost Guehi his move to Anfield.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

They usually return before dark because the Doctorita frets that a gang of bandits will jump out in the darkness and hijack the truck.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau

Related Words

• carjack
• commandeer
• kidnap
• steal