noun
Common
crane
krayn
Crane (noun) means a large wading bird with long legs and a long neck. Example: “We watched a crane stand perfectly still in the shallow river.”
noun
1
A large wading bird with long legs and a long neck.
"We watched a crane stand perfectly still in the shallow river."
"The crane spread its wide wings and flew slowly over the lake."
"A pair of cranes waded through the marsh at dawn."
2
A tall machine used to lift and move heavy objects, especially on construction sites.
"Workers used a tall crane to lift the new windows into place."
"The crane operator sat high above the site and moved the load carefully."
"A crane hoisted the steel beam to the top floor."
verb
1
To stretch out one's neck to see something better.
"The children craned their necks to watch the parade go past."
"She craned her neck to see over the crowd."
"He craned forward to catch every word."
How to use crane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the tall wading bird, the heavy-lifting construction machine, or (as a verb) to stretch your neck to look at something.
Common pairings
crane your neck
construction crane
flock of cranes
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like crane.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- cranes
- Third person singular
- cranes
- Past tense
- craned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We watched a _____ stand perfectly still in the shallow river.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for crane
See all rhymes for 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.'
