Skyjack: meaning, definitions and examples

✈️
Add to dictionary

skyjack

 

[ ˈskaɪdʒæk ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

airplane

To hijack an airplane in flight, typically by threatening violence or using force.

Synonyms

commandeer, hijack, seize

Examples of usage

  • The terrorists attempted to skyjack the plane to use it as a weapon.
  • Passengers were terrified when the hijackers tried to skyjack the aircraft.
Context #2 | Noun

crime

The act of unlawfully taking control of an aircraft in flight, often for political or criminal purposes.

Examples of usage

  • Skyjackings have decreased significantly due to improved security measures.
  • The FBI was called in to investigate the latest skyjack.

Translations

Translations of the word "skyjack" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sequestrar um avião

🇮🇳 हवाई जहाज का अपहरण करना

🇩🇪 Flugzeug entführen

🇮🇩 membajak pesawat

🇺🇦 викрадати літак

🇵🇱 porwać samolot

🇯🇵 ハイジャックする

🇫🇷 détourner un avion

🇪🇸 secuestrar un avión

🇹🇷 uçak kaçırmak

🇰🇷 비행기를 납치하다

🇸🇦 اختطاف طائرة

🇨🇿 unést letadlo

🇸🇰 uniesť lietadlo

🇨🇳 劫持飞机

🇸🇮 ugrabiti letalo

🇮🇸 ræna flugvél

🇰🇿 ұшақты ұрлау

🇬🇪 თვითმფრინავის გატაცება

🇦🇿 təyyarəni qaçırmaq

🇲🇽 secuestrar un avión

Etymology

The term 'skyjack' originated in the mid-20th century as a blend of 'sky' and 'hijack'. The practice of skyjacking became more prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, with a number of high-profile cases attracting international attention. Improved airport security measures and international cooperation have since reduced the frequency of skyjackings.

See also: sky, skyborne, skydiver, skydivers, skylight, skyline, skyward, skywards.