Hoists
/hɔɪsts/
verbnounB2third person singular present
Definition
As a verb, "hoists" means to lift or raise something up, often using a rope, machine, or other tool. As a noun, "hoist" is the name of a device or machine that helps lift heavy things. People use hoists to move objects up high or to raise flags.
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See It in Action
Verb: To lift or raise something, often with effort or tools
- •He hoists the heavy bag onto his shoulder.
- •Workers hoist the steel beam into place with a crane.
- •She hoists the flag up the pole every morning.
Noun: A device or machine used to lift heavy objects
- •The hoist broke while lifting the cargo.
- •They used a hoist to move the car engine.
- •The warehouse has several hoists to help with heavy lifting.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hoists" like "lifts" (A1 word), but usually with more effort or using tools like ropes or machines.
- ✓Picture workers pulling a heavy box up with a rope or a crane raising a big metal beam.
- ✓It's the feeling when you try to pull something heavy up above your head or when you see a flag going up on a pole.
- ✓Sounds like "hoist" → imagine "noise" but with an "h" at the start, like the loud effort when lifting something heavy.
- ✓Think of sailors hoisting the sails on a boat to catch the wind and move faster.
- ✓NOT like "carry" (which means moving something while holding it), "hoist" means raising something up, often vertically.
- ✓NOT like "throw" (which sends something quickly through the air), "hoist" is slow and controlled lifting.
- ✓NOT like "raise" (a general word for lifting), "hoist" often involves tools or machines to help.
Try Other Words
- •Raise: to move something to a higher position (Use when the lifting is general and may not involve tools)
- •Lift: to move something upwards (Use in everyday situations without heavy equipment)
- •Elevate: to raise something to a higher level, often formally or carefully (Use in formal or technical contexts)
- •Heave: to lift or pull with effort (Use when emphasizing the physical effort)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "hoist" (root word) + "s" (third person singular verb ending or plural noun)
- •Etymology: From Middle English "hoisten," related to Dutch "heijsen," meaning to lift or raise
- •Historical development: Originally used for lifting sails and cargo on ships; now used for lifting heavy objects generally
- •Modern usage: Common in construction, shipping, and any work involving raising heavy items; also used for flag raising
Reflect & Connect
•How does using a hoist machine change the way people lift heavy objects compared to lifting by hand?
•Can you think of situations where hoisting something could be dangerous? How should people stay safe?
Fill in the blanks
1.The workers hoists ___ the heavy beam ___ the building with a crane.
2.She hoists ___ the flag ___ the pole at sunrise every day.
3.Unlike carrying, hoists ___ usually involve tools or machines to help with the ___.
4.When the hoist ___ broke, they had to lift the load ___ by hand.
5.Hoists ___ often used in warehouses to move ___ objects safely.
6.He hoists ___ the box onto the shelf, but it takes a lot of ___.
7.The ship’s crew hoists ___ the sails to catch the wind and ___ the boat forward.