hit
/hɪt/ · hit
noun
- A blow or strike; the act of one object colliding with another. The boxer delivered a solid hit to his opponent's jaw.
- A piece of entertainment—such as a song, film, or video game—that achieves great popularity and commercial success. Their new single became an instant hit, topping the charts for weeks.
- An aggressive assault on a person, place, or group. The raid was a coordinated hit on the drug cartel's headquarters.
verb
- To strike something or someone. She hit the nail squarely with the hammer.
- To succeed in contacting or reaching a target, often by chance. He finally hit the jackpot after years of playing the lottery.
- To activate or turn on, especially a device or system. Just hit the lights when you enter the room.
adjective
- Extremely successful or popular. The band's hit album sold millions of copies worldwide.
Did you know? The use of 'hit' to describe a popular song dates back to the 1930s, borrowing from baseball slang where a 'hit' meant a successful strike.