Highjack vs. Hijack — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Highjack is often a misspelling of hijack, which means to seize control forcibly or unlawfully, especially of a vehicle.
Difference Between Highjack and Hijack
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Highjack is not a standard term in American English and is commonly considered a misspelling of "hijack." Hijack, on the other hand, specifically refers to the act of taking control of something, usually a vehicle, through force or by threat of force. This term is widely used in contexts related to air, sea, or land transportation.
While highjack is sometimes used in informal contexts or seen in older texts, it does not carry a specific, recognized meaning separate from hijack. Hijack is the correct spelling used in legal, military, and civil aviation contexts to describe the unlawful seizure of an aircraft or other vehicles.
In the realm of technology, the term hijack has also been adapted to describe the unauthorized takeover of computer systems or internet sessions, known as "session hijacking" or "DNS hijacking." There is no equivalent technological use for highjack, highlighting the importance of using the correct term "hijack" in these contexts.
The confusion between highjack and hijack likely arises from variations in regional spelling and pronunciation. However, standard English language resources and dictionaries list hijack as the correct form. Thus, in written and formal communication, hijack should be used to ensure clarity and correctness.
Understanding the difference between these terms is crucial for clear communication, especially in safety and security-related discussions. The use of hijack in all official and formal contexts helps maintain consistency and avoids misunderstandings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Common misspelling of hijack.
To seize control by force.
Context
Informal, often considered incorrect.
Legal, military, aviation, and technology.
Use in sentences
Rare, usually a spelling error.
Widely used in formal contexts.
Spelling Variants
Highjack is itself a variant.
Hijack is the standardized spelling.
Related Terms
None.
Session hijacking, DNS hijacking.
Compare with Definitions
Highjack
Rarely seen in formal writing.
The editor quickly changed every highjack to hijack in the article.
Hijack
To unlawfully seize control of a vehicle or system.
The criminals planned to hijack the plane and demand a ransom.
Highjack
Commonly a misspelling of hijack.
The document contained several instances of highjack, which were corrected to hijack.
Hijack
Can apply to digital contexts, like websites or sessions.
A skilled hacker can hijack a session to steal information.
Highjack
Sometimes used colloquially in place of hijack.
He jokingly said he would highjack the car, not knowing the correct term was hijack.
Hijack
Part of common security discussions.
Airport security is designed to prevent the hijack of aircraft.
Highjack
Not recognized in standard dictionaries.
Searching for highjack in the dictionary redirects to hijack.
Hijack
Often involves threats or force.
The hijack of the bus ended safely with no casualties.
Highjack
May appear in historical texts or dialects.
In older novels, one might come across highjack to describe a robbery.
Hijack
Used in laws and regulations.
The new anti-terrorism law includes severe penalties for hijacking.
Highjack
Variant of hijack.
Hijack
To seize control of (a vehicle such as an airplane or bus) by use of force, especially as a way of reaching an alternate destination or as an act of terrorism.
Highjack
Alternative spelling of hijack
Hijack
To kidnap (a person in a vehicle)
People who have experienced the trauma of being hijacked.
Highjack
Alternative spelling of hijack
Hijack
To stop and rob (a vehicle in transit).
Highjack
Same as hijack.
Hijack
To steal (goods) from a vehicle in transit.
Highjack
Same as highjacking.
Hijack
To take control of (something) without permission or authorization and use it for one's own purposes
Dissidents who hijacked the town council.
Spammers who hijacked a computer network.
Highjack
Seizure of a vehicle in transit either to rob it or divert it to an alternate destination
Hijack
To steal or appropriate for oneself
Hijacked her story and used it in his own book.
Highjack
Take arbitrarily or by force;
The Cubans commandeered the plane and flew it to Miami
Hijack
The act or an instance of hijacking.
Hijack
To forcibly seize control of some vehicle in order to rob it or to reach a destination (especially an airplane, truck or a boat).
Hijack
To seize control of some process or resource to achieve a purpose other than its originally intended one.
Hijack the radio show
Hijack
(computing) To seize control of a networked computer by means of infecting it with a worm or other malware, thereby turning it into a zombie.
Hijack
(computing) To change software settings without a user's knowledge so as to force that user to visit a certain web site.
To hijack a browser
Hijack
(politics) To introduce an amendment deleting the contents of a bill and inserting entirely new provisions.
Hijack
An instance of hijacking; the illegal seizure of a vehicle; a hijacking.
Hijack
An instance of a seizure and redirection of a process.
Hijack
(politics) An amendment which deletes the contents of a bill and inserts entirely new provisions.
Hijack
(poker slang) Preflop, the position two before the dealer.
Hijack
(obsolete) A highwayman, robber.
Hijack
Seizure of a vehicle in transit either to rob it or divert it to an alternate destination
Hijack
Take arbitrarily or by force;
The Cubans commandeered the plane and flew it to Miami
Common Curiosities
What does hijack mean?
Hijack refers to the act of taking control of a vehicle or system through force or threats.
What is session hijacking?
Session hijacking is a form of cyber attack where the attacker takes control of a user's internet session.
Are there laws against hijacking?
Yes, there are specific laws and regulations that address and penalize hijacking activities.
Can hijack be used in non-transportation contexts?
Yes, hijack can also refer to the unauthorized control of computer systems or internet sessions.
Is highjack a correct spelling?
No, highjack is generally considered a misspelling of hijack.
Can hijack apply to personal property?
While hijack typically involves vehicles or systems, it can loosely be used to describe the forceful takeover of personal property.
Can digital platforms be hijacked?
Yes, websites and online sessions can be hijacked through various cyber attacks.
Is hijack used in military contexts?
Yes, hijack is used in military contexts to describe the seizure of assets or vehicles.
What are the penalties for hijacking?
Penalties vary by jurisdiction but often include long prison sentences or even the death penalty.
How is hijack prevented in aviation?
Through stringent security measures, personnel training, and international cooperation.
Do dictionaries list highjack as a variant?
Most reputable dictionaries do not list highjack as an acceptable variant of hijack.
Is hijack always illegal?
Yes, hijacking is unlawful as it involves taking control through force or coercion.
Has the definition of hijack evolved?
Yes, the definition has expanded to include digital and cybersecurity contexts.
Can hijack be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe taking control of a situation or conversation.
What measures can prevent session hijacking?
Secure connections, regular security updates, and user awareness can prevent session hijacking.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited 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.
