noun
Uncommon
heist
hyst
Heist (noun) means a robbery, especially a carefully planned one targeting a bank, museum, or similar institution. Example: “The gang spent months planning the diamond heist.”
noun
1
A robbery, especially a carefully planned one targeting a bank, museum, or similar institution.
"The gang spent months planning the diamond heist."
"Police recovered most of the cash stolen in the heist."
2
A movie or story genre built around the planning and execution of a robbery.
"He loves heist films where the crew's plan unravels at the last second."
verb
1
To steal or rob, especially in a bold or organized way.
"They heisted a truckload of electronics from the warehouse."
How to use heist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big, often elaborately planned robbery — or, as a verb, to carry one out.
Common pairings
pull off a heist
a bank heist
heist movie
plan a heist
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Word forms
- Plural
- heists
- Third person singular
- heists
- Past tense
- heisted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gang spent months planning the diamond _____.
Etymology
Probably a dialect pronunciation of "hoist" — originally underworld slang for stealing or shoplifting.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for heist
See all rhymes for heist →Frequently asked questions
What does “heist” mean?
The word “heist” means a robbery, especially a carefully planned one targeting a bank, museum, or similar institution. In plain terms, a big, often elaborately planned robbery — or, as a verb, to carry one out.
How do you pronounce “heist”?
“Heist” is pronounced hyst (/haɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “heist” in a sentence?
Here is “heist” used in a sentence: “The gang spent months planning the diamond heist.”
What part of speech is “heist”?
Depending on how it is used, “heist” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “heist” a common word?
“Heist” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “heist” have?
“Heist” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a robbery, especially a carefully planned one targeting a bank, museum, or similar institution.
