lift

1 of 3

verb

lifted; lifting; lifts

transitive verb

1
a
: to raise from a lower to a higher position : elevate
b
: to raise in rank or condition
c
: to raise in rate or amount
2
: to put an end to (a blockade or siege) by withdrawing or causing the withdrawal of investing forces
3
: revoke, rescind
lift an embargo
4
a
: steal
had her purse lifted
c
: to take out of normal setting
lift a word out of context
5
: to take up (something, such as a root crop or transplants) from the ground
6
: to pay off (an obligation)
lift a mortgage
7
: to move from one place to another (as by aircraft) : transport
8
: to take up (a fingerprint) from a surface

intransitive verb

1
a
: ascend, rise
the rocket lifted off
b
: to appear elevated (as above surrounding objects)
2
of inclement weather : to dissipate and clear
liftable adjective
lifter noun

lift

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
: the amount that may be lifted at one time : load
2
a
: the action or an instance of lifting
b
: the action or an instance of rising
c
: elevated carriage (as of a body part)
d
: the lifting up (as of a dancer) usually by a partner
3
: a device (such as a handle or latch) for lifting
4
: an act of stealing : theft
5
b
: a ride especially along one's way
6
: a layer in the heel of a shoe
7
: a rise or advance in position or condition
8
: a slight rise or elevation
9
: the distance or extent to which something rises
10
: an apparatus or machine used for hoisting: such as
a
: a set of pumps used in a mine
b
chiefly British : elevator sense 1b
c
: an apparatus for raising an automobile (as for repair)
d
11
a
: an elevating influence
b
: an elevation of the spirit
12
a
: the component of the total aerodynamic force acting on an airplane or airfoil that is perpendicular to the relative wind and that for an airplane constitutes the upward force that opposes the pull of gravity
b
: an updraft that can be used to increase altitude (as of a sailplane)
13
: an organized movement of people, equipment, or supplies by some form of transportation
especially : airlift
14
: plastic surgery on a part of the body typically to improve a drooping or sagging appearance especially by reducing excess skin and fat
a neck lift

lift

3 of 3

noun (2)

chiefly Scotland
Choose the Right Synonym for lift

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position.

lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

Examples of lift in a Sentence

Verb The paramedics lifted the stretcher into the ambulance. lift a bucket of water He lifted his foot from the gas pedal. He lifted his pen from the paper. She lifted her hands to the sky. The story lifted him to national recognition.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
One example involved an amusing story that just happened to be lifted nearly whole from an Eat column in this very magazine. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 The hope, of course, is that this team will respond the same way: an imaginary weight lifted from their shoulders that morphs into a loose, free, confident and determined group going forward. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 It’s designed to lift hair at the roots to give it more shape and fullness—especially after it’s been dried. Kylee McGuigan, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024 Musically, the highest highs come when the company steps in alongside the leads, voices lifting to an emotional peak. Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024 Biopics like Eminem’s 8 Mile and 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ fascinated the Colombian teen, who could identify with the rappers’ journey to lift themselves out of poverty through music. Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024 On their final day in South Korea, the stormy clouds above the Dodgers seemed impossible to lift. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The Bank of Japan was the last major central bank to lift its key rate out of negative territory, ending an unusual period that had led to negative rates in some European countries as well as in Japan. Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 My husband would carry me up the stairs, carry me to the bathroom, lift me out the tub. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
The lift station and sewer improvements project will extend sewer availability to undeveloped land on the west side of town and be a centralized sewage system, said Daniel Ellis, the city engineer. Campbell Roper, arkansasonline.com, 23 Mar. 2024 Within the last decade, advancements in gear technology, a rising cost of lift tickets, and a desire to escape crowds have resulted in a boom in backcountry skiing. Josh Laskin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024 Speculation about the princess's whereabouts has reached a fever pitch, with conspiracy theories running the gamut from Brazilian butt lift to imminent divorce. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2024 And don’t worry—Heritage doesn’t leave without a celebrity encounter (by getting in the wrong lift). Longreads, 15 Mar. 2024 In June 2021, Erica Russell of Tennessee underwent a BBL (Brazilian butt lift) procedure at Seduction Cosmetic Center's facility in Coral Gables, Fla., per the Miami-Dade County court documents acquired by PEOPLE. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Two of the hotel’s unique features include a ski rental shop, Venture Sports, on site to pick up ski gear, and a chair lift that takes you to the mountain. Essence, 11 Mar. 2024 In 2023, the event switched from its longtime home at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica — where it had been held since 1991 — to the Le Meridian Delfina, a location that disappointed many attendees due to issues with the layout and lifts. Alex Ritman, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The two films could also give a lift to the Oscar telecast, which has historically benefitted from having big movies in contention. Jake Coyle, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lift.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old Norse lypta; akin to Old English lyft air — more at loft

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English lyft

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lift was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near lift

Cite this Entry

“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lift. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lift

1 of 2 verb
1
: to move to a higher position, rate, or amount
2
: to rise from the ground
planes lifting from the runway
the rocket lifted off
3
: to stop or remove often temporarily
lift a blockade
lift a ban
4
: to move upward and disappear or become scattered
when the fog lifts
lifter noun

lift

2 of 2 noun
1
: the amount that may be lifted at one time : load
2
: the action or an instance of lifting
3
: help especially in the form of a ride
can I give you a lift?
4
a
chiefly British : elevator sense 1b
b
: a device for carrying people up or down a mountain
5
: a raising of the spirits
their visit gave me a lift
6
: an upward force (as on an airplane wing) that opposes the pull of gravity

Medical Definition

lift

noun
: plastic surgery on a part of the body typically to improve a drooping or sagging appearance especially by reducing excess skin and fat
… many plastic surgeons claim that doing a brow lift or a neck lift at an earlier age can help postpone more invasive face-lifts later on …Liz Welch, Glamour
lift transitive verb

Legal Definition

lift

transitive verb
: to put an end to : make no longer effective
lift the stay

More from Merriam-Webster on lift

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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