# crane

/ˈkɹeɪn/ (US) · /kɹˈeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crane
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. lifting machine

noun · CEFR B1

a tall machine used for moving heavy objects, especially on construction sites.

For teachers: a mechanical lifting device equipped with a hoist rope, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally.

- The construction crew used a massive crane to lift the steel beams to the top floor.
- Tower cranes are essential for high-rise construction, providing the necessary reach and lifting capacity to transport heavy materials across the site.

### 2. the bird

noun · CEFR B2

a large bird with very long legs and a long neck.

For teachers: any bird of the family Gruidae, characterized by long legs and a long neck which remains extended during flight.

- We saw a beautiful white crane standing perfectly still in the shallow water.
- The conservation group is working to protect the wetlands that serve as vital breeding grounds for the endangered whooping crane.

### 3. to stretch the neck

verb · CEFR B2

to stretch your neck in order to see something better.

For teachers: to stretch out one's neck, typically in order to see something more clearly or over an obstacle.

- Everyone in the crowd had to crane their necks to see the parade passing by.
- Spectators at the back of the gallery craned their necks, desperate to catch a glimpse of the artist as she entered the room.

Usage: Often used with 'to see' or 'over'.

### 4. nautical support

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a metal arm or bracket used on a ship to support equipment.

For teachers: a forked post or projecting bracket used to support spars or other equipment on a vessel.

- The sailors secured the spare mast onto the iron cranes on the deck.
- The vessel was equipped with heavy-duty cranes designed to support the weight of the lifeboats during emergency deployment.

## Examples

- The construction workers used a crane to lift the steel beams.
- From the window of the train, we spotted a white crane standing perfectly still in the shallow water of the marsh.
- The skyline was dominated by several towering cranes, signaling a period of rapid urban development and significant investment in the city's infrastructure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.