lift

Lift is a term with several related but distinct meanings across science, engineering, and everyday language. Broadly, it refers to the act of raising something, a force that opposes gravity, or devices that perform such an action.

In aerodynamics, lift is the force that supports a flying body in a fluid, acting perpendicular to the relative wind. It arises from pressure differences over a wing or other surfaces, increasing with airspeed and wing area. The lift equation L = 1/2 ρ V^2 S CL expresses this dependence, where ρ is air density, V is velocity, S is planform area, and CL is the lift coefficient. Lift grows with angle of attack up to a stall, after which it decreases; aircraft designers use high-lift devices to extend performance.

In British English, a lift is an elevator: a motorized hoisting platform that moves people or goods between floors of a building.

In sport, weightlifting is the discipline of lifting heavy barbells in events such as the snatch and the clean and jerk, judged on technique and success.

In industry and construction, lifting refers to devices and systems used to raise, lower, or transport loads, including hydraulic lifts, cranes, forklifts, and jacks. Proper safety, load ratings, and operation planning are essential to prevent accidents.