To raise; lift; elevate; especially, to raise by means of block and tackle or other machinery.n. The act of hoisting; a lift.n. That by which something is hoisted; a machine for raising ore, merchandise, passengers, etc., in a mine, warehouse, hotel, etc.; an elevator.n. The perpendicular height of a flag or ensign, as opposed to the fly, or breadth from the staff to the outer edge; also, the extent to which a sail or yard may be hoisted: as, give the sail more hoist.n. Nautical, a number of flags fastened together for hoisting as a signal.n. Past participle of hoise, regularly hoised.