To hijack means to take control of a vehicle or situation by force, often through threats or violence. The word originally described criminals who stopped trucks on highways and stole their cargo, forcing the drivers to surrender at gunpoint. Today, the term most commonly refers to taking over an airplane, ship, or other vehicle during a journey. Hijackers might demand money, force the pilot to change course, or use the vehicle as leverage to make political demands.

The word has expanded beyond vehicles. Someone can hijack a conversation by rudely changing the subject to something they want to talk about instead. A student might hijack a class discussion by constantly interrupting with off-topic comments. In technology, hackers can hijack computer systems or accounts, taking them over without permission.

In all cases, hijacking involves seizing control of something that belongs to someone else. It's forceful and unwelcome. When you hear that something was hijacked, you know the rightful owner or controller lost power over it, whether that's a pilot losing control of their plane or a meeting leader losing control of the agenda.

The person who hijacks is called a hijacker. Once a hijacking begins, the situation can become dangerous and unpredictable, which is why hijacking vehicles, especially aircraft, carries severe legal consequences.