highjack

[ hahy-jak ]
/ ˈhaɪˌdʒæk /

verb (used with or without object), noun

Definition for highjack (2 of 2)

hijack

or high·jack

[ hahy-jak ]
/ ˈhaɪˌdʒæk /

verb (used with object)

to steal (cargo) from a truck or other vehicle after forcing it to stop: to hijack a load of whiskey.
to rob (a vehicle) after forcing it to stop: They hijacked the truck before it entered the city.
to seize (a vehicle) by force or threat of force.
to skyjack.

verb (used without object)

to engage in such stealing or seizing.

noun

an act or instance or hijacking.

Origin of hijack

1920–25, Americanism; back formation from hijacker

OTHER WORDS FROM hijack

an·ti·hi·jack, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hijack

hijack kidnap shanghai skyjack

British Dictionary definitions for highjack (1 of 2)

highjack
/ (ˈhaɪˌdʒæk) /

verb, noun

a less common spelling of hijack

Derived forms of highjack

highjacker, noun

British Dictionary definitions for highjack (2 of 2)

hijack

highjack

/ (ˈhaɪˌdʒæk) /

verb

(tr) to seize, divert, or appropriate (a vehicle or the goods it carries) while in transit to hijack an aircraft
to rob (a person or vehicle) by force to hijack a traveller
(esp in the US during Prohibition) to rob (a bootlegger or smuggler) of his illicit goods or to steal (illicit goods) in transit

noun

the act or an instance of hijacking

Derived forms of hijack

hijacker or highjacker, noun

Word Origin for hijack

C20: of unknown origin