Illustration of crane
- crane 1
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: such 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
craned; craning
1
: to raise or lift by or as if by a crane
2
: to stretch toward an object of attention
craning her neck to get a better view
1
: to stretch one's neck toward an object of attention
I craned out of the window of my compartment—
Webb Waldron
Webb Waldron2
: hesitate
Synonyms
Examples of crane in a Sentence
Verb
We craned our necks toward the stage.
craned her head to see the roof
Recent Examples on the WebLea Skene, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
What to expect Eyesores or symbols of a thriving economy: Are Phoenix construction cranes going anywhere?
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024
To that end, Supernova is equipped with a large helipad on the bridge deck aft and an integrated crane that can launch and retrieve toys or tenders.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Here’s the plan April 08, 2024 4:00 AM Read Next
Business
See those big cranes?
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2024
In 1993, the crane found a new home with current owner Donjon Marine Co. Inc.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
Bennett says the fact that the crane is in the news again is a testament to the technical complexity of that early intelligence operation.
—Kathryn Fink, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
Walking into the museum’s new entrance on West 79th Street, visitors’ heads crane upwards to take in what appears to be a four-story cavern of arching walkways and branching side tunnels, filled, on a beautiful spring day, with natural light pouring in from skylights overhead.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Crews tried to remove one section of the bridge on Monday, but cranes couldn't operate because of lightning in the area, which slowed down recovery operations.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 3 Apr. 2024
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2024
As Negrete looks the man over, crowds of people encircle the tent, craning to see the day’s injured.
—Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024
Necks craned to see the television screens positioned throughout the space.
—Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024
The innovative way of using the seemingly simple item is to prevent having to crane your neck while watching a show or movie on your phone screen.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024
We’re left on the outside, craning our necks, trying to get closer.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2024
This will stop you from craning your head and looking up, which can mess with your ability to keep your back straight and strain your neck.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
Pin craned her neck to look: one vehicle had scraped another.
—Vera Carothers, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
Civilians race before him through the streets, necks craned upward in terror.
—Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Noun
Nearly three weeks since Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed under the impact of a wayward cargo ship, crews are using the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to haul the wreckage to a nearby salvage yard.
—Lea Skene, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
What to expect Eyesores or symbols of a thriving economy: Are Phoenix construction cranes going anywhere?
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024
To that end, Supernova is equipped with a large helipad on the bridge deck aft and an integrated crane that can launch and retrieve toys or tenders.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Here’s the plan April 08, 2024 4:00 AM Read Next
Business
See those big cranes?
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2024
In 1993, the crane found a new home with current owner Donjon Marine Co. Inc.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
Bennett says the fact that the crane is in the news again is a testament to the technical complexity of that early intelligence operation.
—Kathryn Fink, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
Walking into the museum’s new entrance on West 79th Street, visitors’ heads crane upwards to take in what appears to be a four-story cavern of arching walkways and branching side tunnels, filled, on a beautiful spring day, with natural light pouring in from skylights overhead.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Crews tried to remove one section of the bridge on Monday, but cranes couldn't operate because of lightning in the area, which slowed down recovery operations.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
Characters race onto rooftops, open-mouthed, their necks craned toward the cosmos.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2024
As Negrete looks the man over, crowds of people encircle the tent, craning to see the day’s injured.
—Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024
Necks craned to see the television screens positioned throughout the space.
—Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024
The innovative way of using the seemingly simple item is to prevent having to crane your neck while watching a show or movie on your phone screen.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024
We’re left on the outside, craning our necks, trying to get closer.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2024
This will stop you from craning your head and looking up, which can mess with your ability to keep your back straight and strain your neck.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
Pin craned her neck to look: one vehicle had scraped another.
—Vera Carothers, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
Civilians race before him through the streets, necks craned upward in terror.
—Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near crane
Cite this Entry
“Crane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crane. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crane
1 of 2 noun1
: any of a family of tall wading birds related to the rails
2
: any of several herons
3
a
: a machine with a swinging arm for lifting and carrying heavy weights
b
: a mechanical arm that swings freely from a center and is used to support or carry a weight
crane
2 of 2 verb
craned; craning
1
: to raise or lift by or as if by a crane
2
: to stretch out one's neck to see better
Biographical Definition
Crane
2 of 3biographical name (2)
Stephen 1871–1900 American writer
Crane
3 of 3biographical name (3)
Walter 1845–1915 English artist
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