boost

[ boost ]

verb (used with object)

1. to lift or raise by pushing from behind or below.
2. to advance or aid by speaking well of; promote:

   She always boosts her hometown.

3. to increase; raise:

   to boost prices;

   to boost the horsepower of the car by 20 percent.

4. to administer a booster shot to:

   Have you and your family been boosted yet?

5. Slang. to steal, especially to shoplift:

   Two computers were boosted from the office last night.

verb (used without object)

1. Slang. to engage in stealing, especially shoplifting.

noun

1. an upward shove or raise; lift.
2. an increase; rise:

   There's been a tremendous boost in food prices.

   Synonyms: uptick, upswing, upsurge, growth, hike

3. an act, remark, or the like, that helps one's progress, morale, efforts, etc.:

   His pep talk was the boost our team needed.

boost

/ buːst /

noun

1. encouragement, improvement, or help

   a boost to morale

2. an upward thrust or push

   he gave him a boost over the wall

3. an increase or rise

   a boost in salary

4. a publicity campaign; promotion
5. the amount by which the induction pressure of a supercharged internal-combustion engine exceeds that of the ambient pressure

verb

1. to encourage, assist, or improve

   to boost morale

2. to lift by giving a push from below or behind
3. to increase or raise

   to boost the voltage in an electrical circuit

4. to cause to rise; increase

   to boost sales

5. to advertise on a big scale
6. to increase the induction pressure of (an internal-combustion engine) above that of the ambient pressure; supercharge

boost

/ bo̅o̅st /

1. A linear map from one reference frame to another in which each coordinate is increased or decreased by an independent constant or linear function. A boost corresponds to a shift of the entire coordinate system without any rotation of its axes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of boost¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; perhaps Scots dialect boose (variant of pouss push ) + (hoi)st

Word History and Origins

Origin of boost¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The discussion ranged widely from the vital role of the Delta’s water in California’s economy to potential alternative investments aimed at boosting the state’s supplies.

From Los Angeles Times

But they received a boost in 2020, when Los Angeles County approved a $14-million pilot program for land trusts to buy and rehabilitate properties across the county.

From Los Angeles Times

During a heated discussion of the proposed wage boosts, several council members questioned whether an analysis of the economic impact of the wage hike that was commissioned by the city had been thorough enough.

From Los Angeles Times

The Yakimovich group recently published an image quality boosting model based on generative artificial intelligence.

From Science Daily

Beating USC would make Foster’s first season an unqualified success and significantly boost his efforts to bring in the name, image and likeness dollars needed to upgrade the talent on his roster.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• add to
• augment
• develop
• enlarge
• expand
• extend
• heighten
• jump
• raise