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Hijacking: meaning, definitions and examples

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hijacking

 

[ ˈhaɪdʒækɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

transportation crime

Hijacking refers to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel by force or threat. This act is typically carried out by an individual or group seeking to gain control over the means of transportation for malicious purposes, such as extortion or terrorism. Hijacking can lead to serious legal consequences and endanger the lives of passengers and crew members. It often involves negotiations with law enforcement or government agencies, and can result in hostage situations.

Synonyms

abduction, capture, seizure

Examples of usage

  • The plane was the target of a hijacking incident last year.
  • Security measures have increased in response to the rise of vehicle hijacking.
  • Authorities managed to resolve a ship hijacking without casualties.

Translations

Translations of the word "hijacking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sequestro

🇮🇳 हाइजैकिंग

🇩🇪 Entführung

🇮🇩 pembajakan

🇺🇦 викрадення

🇵🇱 porwanie

🇯🇵 ハイジャック

🇫🇷 piraterie

🇪🇸 secuestro

🇹🇷 kaçırma

🇰🇷 납치

🇸🇦 اختطاف

🇨🇿 únos

🇸🇰 únos

🇨🇳 劫持

🇸🇮 zajetje

🇮🇸 rænd

🇰🇿 ұрлау

🇬🇪 გატაცება

🇦🇿 qaçırma

🇲🇽 secuestro

Etymology

The term 'hijacking' originated in the early 20th century, primarily in the United States, though the exact etymology is uncertain. It is believed to be a blend of the 1910s slang term 'hijack', which referred to stealing from a person on the street, combined with 'jack', a term used to mean 'to seize' or 'to take.' The initial use referred predominantly to the theft of goods from vehicles but evolved to encompass the broader and more serious act of forcibly seizing a mode of transportation. The usage became more prominent during the 1960s and 1970s with a string of high-profile aircraft hijackings, leading to heightened global security measures and public awareness regarding this serious crime. The term has since become widely recognized and is used in legal, media, and public discussions about terrorism and crime.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,120, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.