# haul

/ˈhɔɫ/ (US) · /hˈɔːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/haul
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to pull or carry something heavy

verb · CEFR B2

to pull or carry something that is very heavy or difficult to move.

For teachers: to pull or drag with great effort or force; often implies the transport of heavy goods over a distance.

- The fishermen had to haul the heavy nets back onto the boat.
- The salvage crew spent several hours trying to haul the waterlogged debris from the harbour floor before the tide turned.

Usage: Often used with 'up', 'down', or 'away' to indicate direction.

### 2. to force someone to go somewhere

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to force someone to go somewhere to be punished or to answer questions.

For teachers: to compel someone to appear for a formal hearing, trial, or disciplinary action.

- The manager hauled him into the office to explain why he was late.
- The CEO was hauled before the parliamentary committee to testify regarding the company's recent accounting discrepancies.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'haul someone over the coals' or 'haul someone before a judge'.

Teaching tip: This sense carries a strong connotation of authority and lack of choice for the person being moved.

### 3. a collection of items

noun · CEFR B2

a large amount of something that has been stolen, caught, or bought.

For teachers: the quantity of something caught or taken at one time, such as fish, stolen goods, or purchases.

- The thieves left behind most of their haul when the alarm went off.
- After a successful morning at the local markets, she displayed her haul of vintage clothing and handmade ceramics on the dining table.

### 4. a shopping video

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a video where someone shows and talks about things they have recently bought.

For teachers: a social media video format in which a creator displays and reviews a collection of recently purchased items.

- She posted a massive makeup haul on her channel yesterday.
- The influencer's latest fashion haul garnered millions of views within hours, significantly boosting the featured brand's weekend sales.

Usage: Often used as a modifier, as in 'haul video'.

Teaching tip: This is a very common term in modern internet culture, particularly on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

### 5. a long distance

noun · CEFR B2

a long distance or a task that takes a long time.

For teachers: a distance to be traversed, or a period of sustained effort.

- It is a long haul from the city to the coast, so we should leave early.
- The recovery process will be a long haul, requiring months of intensive physical therapy and dedicated rest.

Usage: Commonly found in the idioms 'long haul' and 'short haul'.

Teaching tip: Explain that 'long-haul' is frequently used as an adjective for international flights.

## Examples

- The police found a massive haul of stolen jewelry.
- After spending the afternoon at the mall, she posted a video showing her clothing haul to her followers.
- Fishermen reported a record-breaking haul of tuna this season, though environmental groups expressed concern regarding the long-term sustainability of such intensive harvesting practices.

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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.