boost

1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst 

boosted; boosting; boosts

transitive verb

1

: to push or shove up from below

boosted him up over the fence

2

: increase, raise

plans to boost production

an extra holiday to boost morale

3

: to promote the cause or interests of : plug

a campaign to boost the new fashions

4

: to raise the voltage of or across (an electric circuit)

5

slang : steal, shoplift

6

: to administer a booster shot to

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the practice of boosting people with a shot that's different from their primary series.

—Adria Cimino

Mr. Biden … pleaded with Americans to get vaccinated or boosted with an extra dose if they haven't already, saying the shots appeared to stave off deaths from the previous worrisome mutation, the delta variant.

—Tom Howell, Jr.

intransitive verb

slang : shoplift

boost

2 of 2

noun

1

: a push upward

gave her a boost into the saddle

2

: an act that brings help or encouragement : assist

an innovation that has been a boost to the entire industry

3

: an increase in amount

a boost in prices

Synonyms

Verb

• heave
• heft
• hoist
• jack (up)
• upheave

Noun

• abetment
• aid
• assist
• assistance
• backing
• hand
• help
• helping hand
• leg up
• lift
• support

Choose the Right Synonym for boost

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position.

lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

Examples of boost in a Sentence

Verb

She boosted the boy onto his father's shoulders.

boosted the child into her car seat

Noun

a boost in wheat production

Exercise can sometimes provide a boost of energy.

After layoffs at the company, employees needed a boost in morale.

One company's innovation has proven to be a boost to the entire industry.

Give the boy a boost onto the stage, will you?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While the strategic plan also includes issues such as bumping up research expenditures, improving graduation rates and boosting median wages of students who earn bachelor’s degrees, moving schools up in the rankings is viewed as a priority. —Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024

This month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on election day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. —Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

Friday’s announcement that the CHP will remain in Oakland for an additional month amounts to an extra boost to Newsom’s previous CHP deployment, which began in the city in February. —Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024

All three of the distinct Southern Indiana sites are being preserved due to their unique natural features, and that work is getting a boost from an unlikely duo: developers working on alternative energy projects — and endangered bats. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

of obscure origin

Noun

noun derivative of boost entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1801, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

boost

1 of 2 verb

ˈbüst 

1

: to push or shove up from below

2

: to increase in force, power, or amount

boost production

boost prices

3

: further entry 2, raise

boost morale

4

: to support enthusiastically : plug

boost

2 of 2 noun

1

: a push upward

2

: an increase in amount

a boost in production

3

: an act that gives help or encouragement

Medical Definition

boost

transitive verb

ˈbüst 

: to administer a booster shot to

Cape Cod is getting assistance from the state in vaccinating and boosting people against COVID-19 with 12 free public vaccination clinics …

—Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Massachusetts)

… the Anne Arundel County Department of Health would like to remind visitors to the Annapolis celebrations to get vaccinated (or boosted), wear a mask, and maintain distance.

—US Fed News