Lift vs. Hoist — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
A lift is a mechanical device used for vertical transportation, often of people, in buildings or other structures, while a hoist is a device specifically for lifting or lowering heavy loads, usually in construction or industrial settings.
Difference Between Lift and Hoist
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Key Differences
A lift commonly refers to an elevator that transports people or goods vertically between floors in buildings. A hoist, in contrast, is specialized equipment used to lift and lower heavy loads, often in construction and manufacturing.
Lifts are designed for convenience and safety, frequently featuring cabins, doors, and automated controls. Hoists, on the other hand, are designed for power, often using chains, ropes, or cables to raise or lower objects.
Lifts are installed in various buildings like offices, apartments, and shopping centers. Hoists are more likely found on construction sites or industrial facilities where heavy-duty lifting is required.
Lifts typically carry passengers or lightweight cargo, whereas hoists are intended for moving machinery, construction materials, or large objects.
Lifts are controlled via internal buttons or automated systems, while hoists are often operated manually, through a control panel, or remotely for precision handling.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Transport people and cargo vertically
Lift/lower heavy loads in construction/industry
Design
Cabin, doors, automated controls
Chains, ropes, cables, pulley systems
Locations
Office buildings, apartments, malls
Construction sites, factories, warehouses
Capacity
Passengers, lightweight cargo
Heavy machinery, equipment, construction materials
Operation
Internal controls or automated systems
Manual, control panel, or remote operation
Compare with Definitions
Lift
A vertical transportation device, also known as an elevator.
The office lift can carry up to 10 people between floors.
Hoist
A device often using chains, ropes, or pulleys for raising items.
The manual hoist required significant physical effort to operate.
Lift
A device to move people or cargo between different levels.
The hotel lift quickly took us to the rooftop restaurant.
Hoist
An apparatus built for high-capacity lifting and precision handling.
The crane's hoist could lift several tons of material.
Lift
A mechanical system designed for convenient, safe movement.
The lift was equipped with automatic doors and voice alerts.
Hoist
Equipment used for lifting or lowering heavy objects.
The construction workers used a hoist to lift steel beams.
Lift
An apparatus that uses counterweights and motors for movement.
The lift relied on powerful motors to ascend quickly.
Hoist
A mechanical aid used in construction, manufacturing, or warehousing.
The hoist helped move machinery within the factory.
Lift
A conveyance that offers accessibility in multi-story buildings.
The lift improved accessibility for elderly visitors.
Hoist
Machinery operated through manual, control panel, or remote means.
The electric hoist allowed for precise movement of cargo.
Lift
To direct or carry from a lower to a higher position; raise
Lift one's eyes.
Lifted the suitcase.
Hoist
To raise or haul up, often with the help of a mechanical apparatus.
Lift
To transport by air
The helicopter lifted the entire team to the meet.
Hoist
To raise to one's mouth in order to drink
Hoist a few beers.
Lift
To revoke by taking back; rescind
Lifted the embargo.
Hoist
To become raised or lifted.
Lift
To bring an end to (a blockade or siege) by removing forces.
Hoist
An apparatus for lifting heavy or cumbersome objects.
Lift
To cease (artillery fire) in an area.
Hoist
The act of hoisting; a lift.
Lift
To raise in condition, rank, or esteem
Work that lifted her in the eyes of her colleagues.
Hoist
The height or vertical dimension of a flag or of any square sail other than a course.
Lift
To uplift; elate
Your telephone call really lifted my spirits.
Hoist
A group of flags raised together as a signal.
Lift
To remove (plants) from the ground for transplanting.
Hoist
(transitive) To raise; to lift; to elevate (especially, to raise or lift to a desired elevation, by means of tackle or pulley, said of a sail, a flag, a heavy package or weight).
Lift
To project or sound in loud, clear tones
Lifted their voices in song.
Hoist
To lift a trophy or similar prize into the air in celebration of a victory.
Lift
(Informal) To steal; pilfer
A thief lifted my wallet.
Hoist
To lift someone up to be flogged.
Lift
(Informal) To copy from something already published; plagiarize
Lifted whole paragraphs from the encyclopedia.
Hoist
(intransitive) To be lifted up.
Lift
To pay off or clear (a debt or mortgage, for example).
Hoist
To extract (code) from a loop construct as part of optimization.
Lift
To perform cosmetic surgery on (the face, for example), especially in order to remove wrinkles or sagging skin.
Hoist
To steal.
Lift
(Sports) To hit (a golf ball) very high into the air.
Hoist
To rob.
Lift
To pick up (a golf ball) to place it in a better lie.
Hoist
A hoisting device, such as pulley or crane.
Lift
To shoot or flip (a puck) so that it rises sharply off the ice.
Hoist
The act of hoisting; a lift.
Give me a hoist over that wall.
Lift
To rise; ascend.
Hoist
The triangular vertical position of a flag, as opposed to the flying state, or triangular vertical position of a sail, when flying from a mast.
Lift
To yield to upward pressure
These windows lift easily.
Hoist
The position of a flag (on a mast) or of a sail on a ship when lifted up to its highest level.
Lift
To disappear or disperse by or as if by rising
By afternoon the smog had lifted.
Hoist
The position of a main fore-and-aft topsail on a ship and fore fore-and-aft topsail on a ship.
Lift
To stop temporarily
The rain lifted by morning.
Hoist
To raise; to lift; to elevate; esp., to raise or lift to a desired elevation, by means of tackle, as a sail, a flag, a heavy package or weight.
They land my goods, and hoist my flying sails.
Hoisting him into his father's throne.
Lift
To become elevated; soar
Their spirits lifted when help came.
Hoist
That by which anything is hoisted; the apparatus for lifting goods.
Lift
The act or process of rising or raising to a higher position.
Hoist
The act of hoisting; a lift.
Lift
Power or force available for raising
The lift of a pump.
Hoist
The perpendicular height of a flag, as opposed to the fly, or horizontal length when flying from a staff.
Lift
An organized effort or a flight transporting supplies or people by airplane; an airlift.
Hoist
Hoisted.
'T is the sport to have the enginerHoist with his own petar.
Lift
The extent or height to which something is raised or rises; the amount of elevation.
Hoist
Lifting device for raising heavy or cumbersome objects
Lift
The distance or space through which something is raised or rises.
Hoist
Raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help;
Hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car
Lift
A rise or an elevation in the level of the ground.
Hoist
Move from one place to another by lifting;
They hoisted the patient onto the operating table
Lift
An elevation of the spirits
The good news gave us a lift.
Hoist
Raise;
Hoist the flags
Hoist a sail
Lift
A raised, high, or erect position, as of a part of the body
The lift of his chin.
Lift
A machine or device designed to pick up, raise, or carry something.
Lift
One of the layers of leather, rubber, or other material making up the heel of a shoe.
Lift
Chiefly British A passenger or cargo elevator.
Lift
A ride in a vehicle given to help someone reach a destination
Gave my friend a lift into town.
Lift
Assistance or help
Gave her a lift with her heavy packages.
Lift
A set of pumps used in a mine.
Lift
The component of the total aerodynamic force acting on an airfoil or on an entire aircraft or winged missile perpendicular to the relative wind and normally exerted in an upward direction, opposing the pull of gravity.
Lift
(ambitransitive) To raise or rise.
The fog eventually lifted, leaving the streets clear.
You never lift a finger to help me!
Lift
To steal.
Lift
To source directly without acknowledgement; to plagiarise.
Lift
To arrest (a person).
Lift
(transitive) To remove (a ban, restriction, etc.).
Lift
(transitive) To alleviate, to lighten (pressure, tension, stress, etc.)
Lift
(transitive) to cause to move upwards.
Lift
To lift weights; to weight-lift.
She lifts twice a week at the gym.
Lift
To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing.
Lift
To elevate or improve in rank, condition, etc.; often with up.
Lift
(obsolete) To bear; to support.
Lift
To collect, as moneys due; to raise.
Lift
(programming) To transform (a function) into a corresponding function in a different context.
Lift
(finance) To buy a security or other asset previously offered for sale.
Lift
To take (hounds) off the existing scent and move them to another spot.
Lift
An act of lifting or raising.
Lift
The act of transporting someone in a vehicle; a ride; a trip.
He gave me a lift to the bus station.
Lift
Mechanical device for vertically transporting goods or people between floors in a building.
Take the lift to the fourth floor.
Lift
An upward force, such as the force that keeps aircraft aloft.
Lift
(measurement) The difference in elevation between the upper pool and lower pool of a waterway, separated by lock.
Lift
A thief.
Lift
(dance) The lifting of a dance partner into the air.
Lift
Permanent construction with a built-in platform that is lifted vertically.
Lift
(figurative) An improvement in mood.
Lift
The amount or weight to be lifted.
What's the maximum lift of this crane?
Lift
The space or distance through which anything is lifted.
Lift
A rise; a degree of elevation.
The lift of a lock in canals
Lift
A liftgate.
Lift
(nautical) A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below, and used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
Lift
(engineering) One of the steps of a cone pulley.
Lift
(shoemaking) A layer of leather in the heel of a shoe.
Lift
(horology) That portion of the vibration of a balance during which the impulse is given.
Lift
Air.
Lift
The sky; the heavens; firmament; atmosphere.
Lift
The sky; the atmosphere; the firmament.
Lift
Act of lifting; also, that which is lifted.
Lift
The space or distance through which anything is lifted; as, a long lift.
Lift
Help; assistance, as by lifting.
The goat gives the fox a lift.
Lift
That by means of which a person or thing lifts or is lifted
Lift
A rise; a degree of elevation; as, the lift of a lock in canals.
Lift
A lift gate. See Lift gate, below.
Lift
A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below; - used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
Lift
One of the steps of a cone pulley.
Lift
A layer of leather in the heel.
Lift
That portion of the vibration of a balance during which the impulse is given.
Lift
A brightening of the spirits; encouragement; as, the campaign workers got a lift from the President's endorsement.
Lift
To move in a direction opposite to that of gravitation; to raise; to elevate; to bring up from a lower place to a higher; to upheave; sometimes implying a continued support or holding in the higher place; - said of material things; as, to lift the foot or the hand; to lift a chair or a burden.
Lift
To raise, elevate, exalt, improve, in rank, condition, estimation, character, etc.; - often with up.
The Roman virtues lift up mortal man.
Lest, being lifted up with pride.
Lift
To bear; to support.
Lift
To collect, as moneys due; to raise.
Lift
To steal; to carry off by theft (esp. cattle); as, to lift a drove of cattle.
He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered.
Lift
To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing.
Strained by lifting at a weight too heavy.
Lift
To rise; to become or appear raised or elevated; as, the fog lifts; the land lifts to a ship approaching it.
Lift
To steal; also, to live by theft.
Lift
The act of giving temporary assistance
Lift
The component of the aerodynamic forces acting on an airfoil that opposes gravity
Lift
The event of something being raised upward;
An elevation of the temperature in the afternoon
A raising of the land resulting from volcanic activity
Lift
A wave that lifts the surface of the water or ground
Lift
A powered conveyance that carries skiers up a hill
Lift
A device worn in a shoe or boot to make the wearer look taller or to correct a shortened leg
Lift
One of the layers forming the heel of a shoe or boot
Lift
Lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
Lift
Plastic surgery to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging from your face; an incision is made near the hair line and skin is pulled back and excess tissue is excised;
Some actresses have more than one face lift
Lift
Transportation of people or goods by air (especially when other means of access are unavailable)
Lift
A ride in a car;
He gave me a lift home
Lift
The act of raising something;
He responded with a lift of his eyebrow
Fireman learn several different raises for getting ladders up
Lift
Raise from a lower to a higher position;
Raise your hands
Lift a load
Lift
Take hold of something and move it to a different location;
Lift the box onto the table
Lift
Move upwards;
Lift one's eyes
Lift
Move upward;
The fog lifted
The smoke arose from the forest fire
The mist uprose from the meadows
Lift
Make audible;
He lifted a war whoop
Lift
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Lift
Make off with belongings of others
Lift
Raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help;
Hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car
Lift
Invigorate or heighten;
Lift my spirits
Lift his ego
Lift
Raise in rank or condition;
The new law lifted many people from poverty
Lift
Take off or away by decreasing;
Lift the pressure
Lift
Rise up;
The building rose before them
Lift
Pay off (a mortgage)
Lift
Take without referencing from someone else's writing or speech; of intellectual property
Lift
Take illegally;
Rustle cattle
Lift
Fly people or goods to or from places not accessible by other means;
Food is airlifted into Bosnia
Lift
Take (root crops) out of the ground;
Lift potatoes
Lift
Call to stop the hunt or to retire, as of hunting dogs
Lift
Rise upward, as from pressure or moisture;
The floor is lifting slowly
Lift
Put an end to;
Lift a ban
Raise a siege
Lift
Remove (hair) by scalping
Lift
Remove from a seedbed or from a nursery;
Lift the tulip bulbs
Lift
Remove from a surface;
The detective carefully lifted some fingerprints from the table
Lift
Perform cosmetic surgery on someone's face
Common Curiosities
How does a lift differ from a hoist?
A lift is primarily designed to transport people or lightweight goods vertically in buildings, while a hoist is for lifting and lowering heavy loads.
Are lifts used for heavy lifting?
Lifts can handle lightweight cargo but are not intended for the heavy loads that hoists manage.
Where are lifts typically installed?
Lifts are installed in buildings such as offices, apartments, and malls.
Are hoists manually operated?
Some hoists are manual, while others are electric or remote-controlled.
What type of mechanism does a hoist use?
Hoists often use chains, cables, or ropes along with pulleys and motors.
Can lifts transport heavy equipment?
Lifts are not designed for very heavy equipment, which is better handled by hoists.
Can a hoist be used to transport people?
Hoists generally aren't used for people, as they lack the safety features of lifts.
How are lifts operated?
Lifts usually feature internal control panels or automated systems.
Can hoists function outdoors?
Yes, many hoists are suitable for outdoor use in construction and other fields.
Do lifts require routine maintenance?
Yes, lifts need regular maintenance for safety and smooth operation.
What safety features do lifts have?
Lifts feature alarms, automatic doors, and emergency braking systems.
In which industries are hoists primarily used?
Hoists are mainly used in construction, manufacturing, and warehousing.
Can hoists be customized for different load types?
Yes, hoists can be fitted with various attachments to handle specific loads.
Do lifts rely on counterweights?
Most lifts utilize counterweights to balance the load and reduce motor strain.
Are hoists safe for handling fragile goods?
Properly operated hoists can handle fragile items with appropriate safety measures.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
