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uplift

American  
[uhp-lift, uhp-lift] / ʌpˈlɪft, ˈʌpˌlɪft /

verb (used with object)

  1. to lift up; raise; elevate.

  2. to improve socially, culturally, morally, or the like.

    to uplift downtrodden and deprived peoples.

  3. to exalt emotionally or spiritually.


verb (used without object)

  1. to become uplifted.

noun

  1. an act of lifting up or raising; elevation.

  2. the process or work of improving, as socially, intellectually, or morally.

  3. emotional or spiritual exaltation.

    Synonyms:
    enhancement, betterment, enrichment
  4. a brassiere.

  5. Geology. an upheaval.

uplift British  

verb

  1. to raise; elevate; lift up

  2. to raise morally, spiritually, culturally, etc

  3. to collect (a passenger, parcel, etc); pick up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act, process, or result of lifting up

  2. the act or process of bettering moral, social or cultural conditions, etc

    1. a brassiere for lifting and supporting the breasts

    2. ( as modifier )

      an uplift bra

  3. the process or result of land being raised to a higher level, as during a period of mountain building

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of uplift

First recorded in 1300–50, uplift is from the Middle English word upliften. See up-, lift

Vocabulary lists containing uplift

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Uplift acquired Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Somewhere in the bowels of my music collection hides 1985’s George Clinton-produced “Freaky Styley” and 1987’s “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan” on crumbling cassettes.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Uplift challenges traditional aid models by providing immediate, unconditional financial assistance through agile giving — a philosophy recognizing survivors as experts in their own lives.

From Salon • Dec. 11, 2024

Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said 80% of the UK's oil was exported.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2024

As a moral stimulus, the combination yields nothing to all the Uplift Foundations the multi-millionaires have ever laid.

From Branded by Lynde, Francis