lifted; lifting; lifts
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
4
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
2
of inclement weather
: to dissipate and clear
lifter
noun
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
a
: assistance, help
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
: ski lift
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
Synonyms
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.
Noun (1)
the company's senior vice president gave his son a much-needed lift up the corporate ladder
I'll need a lift to work while my car is in the shop
Recent Examples on the Web
Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
The officer and the man continue to argue, and the driver lifts an index finger up to his mouth, as if gesturing for the officer to be quiet.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 Nov. 2024
This is great for preventing things from rolling out of the cargo area when the lift gate is opened, something taht drivers will really appreciate after a particularly fun drive.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lift 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
How much weight a child can lift is far less important than teaching them good movement patterns.
—Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
The officer and the man continue to argue, and the driver lifts an index finger up to his mouth, as if gesturing for the officer to be quiet.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Light Salon’s Boost LED Mask is a best seller for its ability to plump, brighten, smooth, lift, soften, and reduce the depth of fine lines.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 Nov. 2024
This is great for preventing things from rolling out of the cargo area when the lift gate is opened, something taht drivers will really appreciate after a particularly fun drive.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lift
Dictionary Entries Near lift
Cite this Entry
“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lift. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lift
1 of 2 verb1
: 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 noun1
: 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
Liz Welch, Glamour
lift
transitive verb
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