hijack
HEYE-jak
Hijack (verb) means to seize illegal control of a vehicle, especially a plane, in order to rob it or force it to a destination. Example: “The gang hijacked the truck and stole its entire cargo.”
verb
1
To seize illegal control of a vehicle, especially a plane, in order to rob it or force it to a destination.
"The gang hijacked the truck and stole its entire cargo."
2
To take control of a process, event, or resource and redirect it for a different purpose.
"A few loud attendees hijacked the meeting to push their own agenda."
noun
1
An act of hijacking; an illegal seizure of a vehicle or process.
"Security was tightened after the attempted hijack."
How to use hijack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take forceful, illegitimate control of something — a vehicle, a meeting, or even a conversation.
Common pairings
hijack a plane
hijack the conversation
hijack attempt
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Word forms
- Plural
- hijacks
- Third person singular
- hijacks
- Past tense
- hijacked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gang _____ the truck and stole its entire cargo.
Etymology
First recorded in the early 20th century, likely a blend of highway and jacker ("one who holds someone up"); origin details remain uncertain.
Class of 1900
hijack joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “hijack” mean?
The word “hijack” means to seize illegal control of a vehicle, especially a plane, in order to rob it or force it to a destination. In plain terms, to take forceful, illegitimate control of something — a vehicle, a meeting, or even a conversation.
How do you pronounce “hijack”?
“Hijack” is pronounced HEYE-jak (/ˈhaɪ.dʒæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “hijack” in a sentence?
Here is “hijack” used in a sentence: “The gang hijacked the truck and stole its entire cargo.”
What part of speech is “hijack”?
Depending on how it is used, “hijack” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hijack” come from?
The word “hijack” dates back to around 1900. First recorded in the early 20th century, likely a blend of highway and jacker ("one who holds someone up"); origin details remain uncertain.
Is “hijack” a common word?
“Hijack” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hijack” have?
“Hijack” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to seize illegal control of a vehicle, especially a plane, in order to rob it or force it to a destination.
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