verb

hijack

HEYE-jak

verb

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."

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

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 notes

In 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

hijacked past tense, hijacks plural, hijacks singular

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The gang _____ the truck and stole its entire cargo.

First recorded in the early 20th century, likely a blend of highway and jacker ("one who holds someone up"); origin details remain uncertain.