hoist Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun lifting device for raising heavy or cumbersome objects
  2. verb raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
    lift; wind.
    • hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car
  3. verb move from one place to another by lifting
    • They hoisted the patient onto the operating table
  4. verb raise
    run up.
    • hoist the flags
    • hoist a sail

WordNet

Hoist transitive verb
Etymology
OE. hoise, hyse, OD. hyssen, D. hijshen; akin to LG. hissen, Dan. hisse, Sw. hissa.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hoisted; present participle & verbal noun Hoisting
Definitions
  1. To raise; to lift; to elevate; esp., to raise or lift to a desired elevation, by means of tackle, as a sail, a flag, a heavy package or weight.
    They land my goods, and hoist my flying sails. Pope.
    Hoisting him into his father's throne. South.
Hoist noun
Definitions
  1. That by which anything is hoisted; the apparatus for lifting goods.
  2. The act of hoisting; a lift. Collog.
  3. ()() The perpendicular height of a flag, as opposed to the fly, or horizontal length when flying from a staff. (b) The height of a fore-and-aft sail next the mast or stay. Totten.
Hoist past participle
Definitions
  1. Hoisted. Obs.
    'Tis the sport to have the enginer Hoist with his own petar. Shak.

Webster 1913