hoist

[hoist, hahyst]

verb (used with object)

1. to raise or lift, especially by some mechanical appliance.

   to hoist a flag; to hoist the mainsail.

   Synonyms: elevate
   Antonyms: lower

2. to raise to one's lips and drink; drink (especially beer or whiskey) with gusto.

   Let's go hoist a few beers.

3. Archaic.,  a simple past tense and past participle of hoise.

noun

1. an apparatus for hoisting, as a block and tackle, a derrick, or a crane.

2. act of hoisting; a lift.

   Give that sofa a hoist at your end.

3. Nautical.

   1. the vertical dimension amidships of any square sail that is hoisted with a yard.

   2. the distance between the hoisted and the lowered position of such a yard.

   3. the dimension of a fore-and-aft sail along the luff.

   4. a number of flags raised together as a signal.

4. (on a flag)

   1. the vertical dimension as flown from a vertical staff.

   2. the edge running next to the staff.

hoist

/ hɔɪst /

verb

1. (tr) to raise or lift up, esp by mechanical means

2. See petard

noun

1. any apparatus or device for hoisting

2. the act of hoisting

3. See rotary clothesline

4. nautical

   1. the amidships height of a sail bent to the yard with which it is hoisted Compare drop

   2. the difference between the set and lowered positions of this yard

5. nautical the length of the luff of a fore-and-aft sail

6. nautical a group of signal flags

7. the inner edge of a flag next to the staff Compare fly 1

Other Word Forms

• hoister noun
• unhoisted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoist¹

First recorded in 1540–50; later variant of hoise, with -t as in against, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoist¹

C16: variant of hoise, probably from Low German; compare Dutch hijschen, German hissen

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hoist by / with one's own petard. petard.

Synonym Study

See raise.

Example Sentences

Like sailors hoisting a mighty sail, burly stagehands hauled thick ropes hand over hand to roll back the stage curtain, and the performance began.

Read more on Literature

Then, with sheets hoisted up above their ankles for safety, the children daringly climbed the spiral stairs that led to the observatory, which they located handily, they explained, by following the scent of the sky.

Read more on Literature

"I was able to get hoisted into a chair, sit up a bit better... and, as the days went on, I was able to get out of bed with help from the nurses and family."

Read more on BBC

Frantic, he helped his parents hoist his six younger siblings over a backyard fence as fireballs of ignited crude descended around their home, just across the street.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Pharaoh was hoisted up so he could stand on the obelisk.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• erect 
• heave 
• pick up