Crane
/kreɪn/
Definitions
3 meaningsA large, long-legged, and long-necked bird of the family Gruidae.
/kreɪn/
A tall, slender bird with a long neck and legs.
We saw a flock of cranes migrating south for the winter.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really tall bird with super long legs and a long neck. It's like a graceful dancer in the sky, maybe on a lake or field. You can sometimes hear their calls.
👶 For kids: A big bird with long legs and a long neck.
More Examples
The crane's call echoed across the marsh.
How It's Used
"The sandhill crane is known for its elaborate mating dance."
"Scientists are working to protect crane habitats from destruction."
A machine for lifting and moving heavy objects by suspending them from a projecting arm or beam.
/kreɪn/
A machine for lifting and moving heavy objects.
The crane hoisted the container onto the ship.
💡 Simply: Think of a huge mechanical arm used to lift REALLY heavy stuff. You see them on construction sites or at harbors moving containers. They're super strong!
👶 For kids: A machine that lifts heavy stuff.
More Examples
The builders needed a crane to lift the materials to the upper floors.
How It's Used
"The construction workers used a crane to lift the steel beams."
"Cargo ships are loaded and unloaded using large cranes."
To stretch one's neck in order to see something.
/kreɪn/
To stretch out one's neck to see something better.
The child craned his neck to see the parade.
💡 Simply: Picture yourself stretching your neck really far to try and see something better. Think of someone at a parade trying to peek over the crowd.
👶 For kids: To stretch your neck to see better.
More Examples
They craned their necks to get a better view of the stage.
How It's Used
"The audience craned their necks to get a glimpse of the celebrity."
"She craned her neck to see the scoreboard."
Idioms & expressions
crane one's neck
To stretch one's neck to look at something.
"The children craned their necks to see the balloon release."
From Middle English *crane*, from Old English *cran* (masculine), from Proto-Germanic *kranō*, from Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂- ('crane, heron').
Used in historical texts referring to both the bird and the lifting machine, with the mechanical usage developing later.
Memory tip
Think of a bird that looks like it's always stretching its neck.
Word Origin
"to make a croaking sound"