Hijack Meaning in English

word

US

/ˈhaɪˌdʒæk/

HY-jak

UK

/hˈaɪdʒæk/

HY-jak

Definition

To take control of a vehicle, plane, or process by force, usually to demand something or make people do what you want.

Usage & Nuances

Often refers to vehicles (especially planes: 'hijack a plane'), but can also mean forcefully taking control of a meeting or process ('hijack the discussion'). Usually formal or media language. Not used for everyday minor theft.

• Spanish: secuestrar (vehículo) - apoderarse por la fuerza
• Portuguese (BR): sequestrar (veículo) - tomar à força
• Portuguese (PT): sequestrar (veículo) - tomar de assalto
• Chinese (Simplified): 劫持 - 强行控制
• Chinese (Traditional): 劫持 - 強行控制
• Hindi: अपहरण करना (वाहन का) - ज़बरदस्ती कब्जा करना
• Arabic: اختطف (مركبة) - استولى بالقوة
• Bengali: ছিনতাই করা - দখল করা
• Russian: угнать - захватить
• Japanese: 乗っ取る
• Vietnamese: cướp - chiếm quyền kiểm soát
• Korean: 납치하다 - 장악하다
• Turkish: kaçırmak - ele geçirmek
• Urdu: اغوا کرنا - قابو کرنا
• Indonesian: membajak

Example Sentences

Someone tried to hijack the bus yesterday.

basic

The criminals planned to hijack the airplane.

basic

The police prevented the attempt to hijack the truck.

basic

The meeting was productive until one person tried to hijack the discussion.

natural

Hackers managed to hijack the company’s website for a few hours.

natural

Activists tried to hijack the event to spread their own message.

natural