Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hot-wire

verb
/ˈhɒtˈwaɪər/
Definition
To start a vehicle’s engine without a key by connecting the wires directly.
Examples
  • He had to hot-wire the car after losing his keys.
  • In the movie, the protagonist was able to hot-wire vehicles to escape from the chase.
  • Hot-wiring is often depicted in action films as a quick way to steal a car.
Meaning
The act of bypassing a car’s ignition system to start it.
Synonyms
  • Bypass
  • Start without a key
  • Ignition override