crane
6 synonyms for crane, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large wading bird with long legs and a long neck.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use crane
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
crane your neck
construction crane
flock of cranes
Etymology
From Old English cran, a Germanic word for the bird; the lifting machine was named later because it resembles the bird's long neck and beak.
Full origin of crane →Frequently asked questions
What does “crane” mean?
The word “crane” means a large wading bird with long legs and a long neck. In plain terms, either the tall wading bird, the heavy-lifting construction machine, or (as a verb) to stretch your neck to look at something.
How do you pronounce “crane”?
“Crane” is pronounced krayn (/kɹeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “crane” in a sentence?
Here is “crane” used in a sentence: “A pair of cranes waded through the marsh at dawn.”
What part of speech is “crane”?
Depending on how it is used, “crane” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “crane” come from?
The word “crane” comes from Old English. From Old English cran, a Germanic word for the bird; the lifting machine was named later because it resembles the bird's long neck and beak.
Is “crane” a common word?
“Crane” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crane” have?
“Crane” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large wading bird with long legs and a long neck.
What is the difference between a crane and a heron?
Cranes and herons are both tall wading birds with long legs and necks, and they are often confused. They belong to different bird families, and one visible difference is that cranes fly with their necks stretched out, while herons fly with their necks pulled back.
What kinds of cranes are used on construction sites?
The machine sense of crane covers several types used in building work, including tall tower cranes and mobile cranes mounted on trucks. All are designed to lift and move heavy objects.
What is the past tense of the verb 'crane'?
The past tense and past participle are 'craned,' as in 'she craned her neck to see the stage.' The present participle is 'craning.'
