Dictionary
Thesaurus
Medical
Scrabble®
Spanish Central
Browse DictionaryBrowse Thesaurus
Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android
Games
Word of the Day
Video
Blog: Words at Play
My Faves
Dictionary

forklift

noun fork·lift \ˈfȯrk-ˌlift\

: a machine that is used for lifting and moving heavy objects

Full Definition of FORKLIFT

:  a self-propelled machine for hoisting and transporting heavy objects by means of steel fingers inserted under the load
See forklift defined for English-language learners
See forklift defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of FORKLIFT

1944

Rhymes with FORKLIFT

adrift, airlift, blueshift, chairlift, dead lift, downshift, face-lift, frameshift, gearshift, makeshift, redshift, sealift, shape-shift, shoplift, short shrift, ski lift, snowdrift, spendthrift, spindrift, split shift, stick shift, swing shift, uplift, upshift

Learn More About FORKLIFT

Browse

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. forklift
  2. fork truck
Next Word in the Dictionary: forklikePrevious Word in the Dictionary: forklessAll Words Near: forklift
ADVERTISEMENT
10 Charming Words for Nasty People
Put-downs with flair
Learn More
When "Literally" isn't, well, literal
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Watch Now
Know what this is?
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Go Play
Fear of cats?
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears
Learn More
Join Us
Merriam-Webster
on Facebook
Merriam-Webster
on Twitter
Bookstore: Digital and Print
Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.
See All
Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries