hoist
HOYST
/hɔɪst/
To raise or lift something heavy into position, especially using ropes, pulleys, or hydraulic machinery.
Focuses strictly on vertical lifting of heavy structural loads.
The story behind the word. Borrowed into English in the 15th century from Middle Dutch 'hijsen' (to raise sails or cargo aboard ships). The nautical term gradually became standard across construction sites for crane mechanics.
Word relationships
- elevate: 'Elevate' is formal and general, whereas 'hoist' specifically implies pulling heavy objects upward with ropes, cables, or hydraulics.
- lift: 'Lift' can be done easily by hand; 'hoist' implies mechanical assistance or significant effort for heavy loads.
- lower: 'Lower' means moving a load downward toward the ground.
Commonly confused with
- haul: 'Hoist' lifts vertically; 'haul' pulls horizontally over a distance.
Word family
- hoisting (noun): The act or mechanism of lifting heavy objects vertically.
Collocations
- hoist heavy equipment
- hoist into place
- hydraulic hoist
- electric hoist
Idioms & expressions
- hoist with one's own petard (harmed by one's own plan to harm others)
Example sentences
- "The mobile crane operator prepared to hoist the heavy steel girder up to the top floor framework." Crane Operations
- "Engineers used synchronized hydraulic jacks to hoist the multi-ton bridge deck into position." Bridge Construction
Memory hook
HOIST rhymes with LIFT: raise high up on a rope or hoist line. HOIST = High LIFT.
When not to use
Do not use for horizontal pushing or transporting long road distances.
Fun facts
- The world's largest crane, 'Sarens SGC-250', can hoist up to 5,000 tons—equivalent to lifting 1,400 elephants at once!
Related words
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