skyjacking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Historical / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “skyjacking” mean?
The illegal seizure of an aircraft while it is in flight, typically by force or threat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The illegal seizure of an aircraft while it is in flight, typically by force or threat.
A specific type of hijacking where the target is an airborne commercial or private aircraft, with the perpetrators taking control and making demands; often used historically to refer to a wave of such incidents.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term, but American English may use it slightly more due to historical media coverage. The term is equally understood but rarely used in current discourse.
Connotations
Evokes a specific historical period of aviation terrorism, often associated with political motives, ransom demands, or attempts to divert flights to non-scheduled destinations like Cuba during the Cold War.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Considered a dated term outside historical or specialist discussions on aviation security.
Grammar
How to Use “skyjacking” in a Sentence
The skyjacking of [Aircraft/ Flight Number]a skyjacking [occurred/took place/happened]to commit (a) skyjackingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skyjacking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The plane was hijacked, not 'skyjacked', in modern reporting.
- Historically, groups threatened to hijack aircraft.
American English
- Terrorists attempted to hijack the flight to Havana.
- The term 'skyjack' was briefly used as a verb in 1970s headlines.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; no standard adverbial form]
American English
- [Not applicable; no standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The skyjacking era led to major security changes.
- Skyjacking incidents were a grim feature of the news.
American English
- The skyjacking phenomenon peaked in the early 1970s.
- Skyjacking threats prompted the installation of cockpit doors.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical risk analysis for aviation insurance.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or criminology papers discussing late 20th-century terrorism.
Everyday
Extremely rare. An older person might use it when recalling news from past decades.
Technical
Used in aviation security history and legal documents referring to specific historical crimes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skyjacking”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skyjacking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skyjacking”
- Using it to refer to modern terrorism on planes (sounds anachronistic).
- Confusing it with 'skydiving'.
- Using it as a verb (*'They skyjacked the plane') – the verb is 'hijack'; 'skyjacking' is the noun for the event.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Skyjacking is a specific type of hijacking where the target is an aircraft in flight. 'Hijacking' is the broader term, which can apply to ships, trucks, or buses.
It is considered a dated term from a specific historical period. Post-9/11, the more serious and general terms 'hijacking' or 'terrorist attack' are used.
While 'skyjack' was used briefly, the standard verb is 'to hijack'. Using 'skyjack' as a verb sounds archaic or like journalistic slang.
There is minimal difference. Both understand it as a historical term. American media may have popularised it slightly more during the Cold War.
The illegal seizure of an aircraft while it is in flight, typically by force or threat.
Skyjacking is usually formal / historical / journalistic in register.
Skyjacking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪˌdʒæk.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪˌdʒæk.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sky' + 'hijacking'. It's a hijacking that happens in the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A TAKEOVER; THE SKY IS A VULNERABLE SPACE.
Practice
Quiz
'Skyjacking' is a term that is best described as: