Lift Definition

lĭft

lifted, lifting, lifts

verb

lifted, lifting, lifts

To exert strength in raising or trying to raise something.

Webster's New World

To bring up to a higher position; raise.

Webster's New World

To pick up and move or set.

Lift the box down from the shelf.

Webster's New World

To revoke or rescind (a ban or order)

Webster's New World

To end (a blockade, siege, etc.) by withdrawing forces.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

noun

lifts

A lifting, raising, or rising; upward movement.

Webster's New World

The amount lifted at one time.

Webster's New World

An organized effort or a flight transporting supplies or people by airplane; an airlift.

American Heritage

Lifting power or influence.

Webster's New World

The extent or height to which something is raised or rises; the amount of elevation.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
ill will
harm

idiom

lift fire

To increase the range of artillery fire by elevating the muzzle of a piece.

American Heritage

lift up one's voice

to raise the voice, now, esp., as in song or in jubilation, praise, etc.

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Lift

Noun

Singular:

lift

Plural:

lifts

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Lift

lift fire
lift up one's voice

Origin of Lift

From Middle English lifte, lüfte, lefte (“air, sky, heaven"), from Old English lyft (“atmosphere, air"), from Proto-Germanic *luftuz, *luftÄ… (“roof, sky, air"), from Proto-Indo-European *lewp- (“to peel, break off, damage"). Cognate with Old High German luft (German Luft, “air"), Dutch lucht (“air"), Old Norse lopt (loft, “upper room, sky, air"). More at loft.

From Wiktionary
From Middle English liften, lyften, from Old Norse lypta (“to lift, air", literally “to raise in the air"), from Proto-Germanic *luftijanÄ… (“to raise in the air"), from Proto-Indo-European *leup- (“to peel, break off, damage"). Cognate with Danish løfte (“to lift"), Swedish lyfta (“to lift"), German lüften (“to air, lift"), Old English lyft (“air"). See above.

From Wiktionary
Middle English liften from Old Norse lypta

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition