/ ˈhaɪdʒæk; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to use violence or threats to take control of a vehicle, especially a plane, in order to force it to travel to a different place or to demand sth from a government :
The plane was hijacked by two armed men on a flight from London to Rome.
2.
( disapproving ) to use or take control of sth, especially a meeting, in order to advertise your own aims and interests
► hi·jack·ing (also hi·jack ) noun [ C , U ]:
There have been a series of hijackings recently in the area.
an unsuccessful hijack
—compare carjacking
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WORD ORIGIN
1920s (originally US): of unknown origin.