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DictionaryheistRobbery
noun / verb

heist

HYST/haɪst/

A planned theft of valuable property, or carrying out such a theft.

The fictional thief flees after a carefully planned heist.

A fictional robbery aftermath: masked adult flees a bank entrance carrying a sack while witnesses react; no weapons or procedural details, no lettering.
Etymology
heistEnglishto lift

Heist probably comes from hoist, linking robbery with “lifting”: either shoplifting or physically lifting accomplices to help them break into a building.

In context

Life of A Gangster30:08
the railroad company that was robbed offered a $5,000 reward for the capture and the heist made headlines Nationwide
JESSE JAMES: The Wild West's Most Legendary Outlaw

More examples

  • Police investigated the jewelry heist.
  • The gang had heisted a valuable painting.
  • The novel follows a crew planning its next heist.

Forms

heist · heists · heisted · heisting

Similar words

robbery
Usually involves force or threats, whereas heist emphasizes planned theft.
burglary
Burglary concerns unlawful entry and need not involve a planned large theft.