hijacks
|hi-jacks|
/ˈhaɪ.dʒæk/
(hijack)
seize control
Etymology
'hijack' originates from early 20th-century American English slang, likely formed from the elements 'high' (as in 'highway') and 'jack' (to seize or rob).
'hijack' appeared in early criminal slang (often written 'high-jack' or 'highjack'), referring initially to robbery on the road; by the mid-20th century the spelling 'hijack' became standard and the sense shifted to the forcible seizure of vehicles, especially aircraft.
Initially it referred to robbery (especially on the highway); over time it evolved to mean forcibly taking control of a vehicle or, by extension, taking over a process, conversation, or system.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an act of hijacking; an instance in which a vehicle, aircraft, or similar is taken by force or threat.
There were several hijacks reported along that route last year.
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Verb 1
to seize and take control of an aircraft, vehicle, or ship by force or threat, often to hold passengers or crew hostage.
The group hijacks the plane and demands a ransom.
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Verb 2
to take control of or dominate a meeting, conversation, broadcast, or other organized activity in an unauthorized or forceful way.
He hijacks the meeting to promote his own agenda.
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Verb 3
in computing or communications, to intercept, divert, or take over a session, process, or connection without authorization.
The malware hijacks the browser and redirects searches to ad sites.
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Last updated: 2026/01/10 07:50