hijack

Universal Words 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 Cairo. 2 (disapproving) to use or take control of sth, especially a meeting, in order to advertise your own aims and interests: Demonstrators fear that the march could be hijacked by extremists. hijacking (also hijack) noun [C,U]: There have been a series of hijackings recently in the area. * an unsuccessful hijack compareCARJACKING