- (n.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.
- (n.) A measure for fresh herrings, -- as many as will fill a barrel.
- (n.) A siphon or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.
- (v.i.) to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better; as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap.
- (n.) A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck.
- (v.t.) To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane the neck disdainfully.
- (n.) An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.
- (v.t.) To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; -- with up.
- (n.) A machine for raising and lowering heavy weights, and, while holding them suspended, transporting them through a limited lateral distance. In one form it consists of a projecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating post or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; -- so called from a fancied similarity between its arm and the neck of a crane See Illust. of Derrick.
- (n.) The American blue heron (Ardea herodias).
- (n.) Any arm which swings about a vertical axis at one end, used for supporting a suspended weight.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). crane. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/crane/definitions/1992638 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "crane" http://smartdefine.org/crane/definitions/1992638 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, crane, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/crane/definitions/1992638>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "crane" 27 May 2011. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/crane/definitions/1992638> |