Dictionary
1crane
noun \ˈkrān\
: a big machine with a long arm that is used by builders for lifting and moving heavy things
: a type of tall bird that has a long neck and long legs and lives near water
Full Definition of CRANE
1
: any of a family (Gruidae of the order Gruiformes) of tall wading birds superficially resembling the herons but structurally more nearly related to the rails
2
: any of several herons
3
: an often horizontal projection swinging about a vertical axis: as a : a machine for raising, shifting, and lowering heavy weights by means of a projecting swinging arm or with the hoisting apparatus supported on an overhead track b : an iron arm in a fireplace for supporting kettles c : a boom for holding a motion-picture or television camera
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Illustration of CRANE
Origin of CRANE
Middle English cran, from Old English; akin to Old High German krano crane, Greek geranos, Latin grus
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Civil Engineering Terms
Rhymes with CRANE
ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne
2crane
verb
: to stretch out (your neck) in order to see better
cranedcran·ing
Full Definition of CRANE
transitive verb
1
: to raise or lift by or as if by a crane
2
: to stretch (as the neck) toward an object of attention <craning her neck to get a better view>
intransitive verb
1
: to stretch one's neck toward an object of attention <I craned out of the window of my compartment — Webb Waldron>
2
: hesitate
See crane defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRANE
1570
Crane
biographical name \ˈkrān\
Definition of CRANE
(Harold) Hart 1899–1932 Am. poet
Crane
biographical name
Definition of CRANE
Stephen 1871–1900 Am. writer
Crane
biographical name
Definition of CRANE
Walter 1845–1915 Eng. artist
CRANE Defined for Kids
1crane
noun \ˈkrān\
Definition of CRANE for Kids
1
: a large tall wading bird with a long neck, bill, and legs
2
: a machine with a swinging arm for lifting and carrying heavy weights
2crane
verb
cranedcran·ing
Definition of CRANE for Kids
: to stretch the neck to see better <Neighbors craned out the window to see the parade.>
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