hot-wire

verb

ˈhät-ˌwī(-ə)r

hot-wired; hot-wiring; hot-wires

transitive verb

: to start (something, such as an automobile) by short-circuiting the ignition system

Examples of hot-wire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rise in thefts Kia has also drawn unwanted attention this year over a surge in thefts linked to a TikTok challenge that urged people to hot-wire the vehicles using a screwdriver and a USB cable. —

Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2023 Kia has also drawn unwanted attention this year over a surge in thefts linked to a TikTok challenge that urged people to hot-wire the vehicles using a screwdriver and a USB cable. —

Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 11 Sep. 2023 Advertisement Police tips on reducing car thefts Police have offered several tips to help reduce thefts amid an increase of Kias and Hyundai vehicles being hot-wired with USB cords in a trend seen on social media. —

Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 24 July 2023 The technology can prevent vehicles from being hot-wired and stolen. —

Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hot-wire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.