1
: a bent part of an axle or shaft or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft by which circular motion is imparted to or received from the shaft or by which reciprocating motion is changed into circular motion or vice versa
2
3
: crystal meth
specifically
: an impure form of crystal meth
cranked; cranking; cranks
1
: to move with a winding course : zigzag
2
a
: to turn a crank
b
: to get started by or as if by the turning of a crank
c
: to gain speed, momentum, or intensity
—usually used with up
the campaign is cranking up
1
: to move or operate by or as if by a crank
crank the window down
2
a
: to cause to start
crank an automobile
b
: to rotate the shaft (such as a crankshaft) of especially with a starter
crank over an engine
c
: to use in trying to start an engine
crank the starter
3
a
: to start as if by use of a crank
—usually used with up
she cranked up the air conditioner
b
: turn up sense 2
—usually used with up
crank up the volume
: of, relating to, or being a bad-tempered or annoyingly eccentric person
also
: made or sent by such a person or by someone intending to be an annoyance or to cause harm
crank calls
a crank letter
1
chiefly dialectal
: merry, high-spirited
of a boat
: easily tipped : tender entry 1 sense 4d
Examples of crank in a Sentence
Noun
To open the car window, turn the crank on the door.
He was dismissed as a crank until his article was published.
Most people think she's just a harmless crank.
Verb
He cranked the temperature to 75 degrees.
Crank the engine to see if it will start.
Adjective (2)
you shouldn't feel so crank, considering that you beat the worst softball team in the league
folks around here are downright crank that a local boy won a gold medal in the Olympics
Recent Examples on the Web
Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
At the same time, Barnes was a crank of operatic grandiosity—thin-skinned, bellicose, distrustful, fickle, and vindictive.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
On one hand, some of you may be on the hunt for more money — like cranking along to take on more clients, get your expenses under control or eager to find a better-paying job.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 May 2024
Secondary targets for theft include the pedals, crank arm and crankset, handlebar grips, shifter, derailleur, and brake calipers.
—Matt Jancer, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for crank
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Noun
Kitchen Accessories Collectible kitchen accessories can range from regular-use items like beautiful copper pots to more decorative items, like vintage bread boxes and hand crank mixers.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
At the same time, Barnes was a crank of operatic grandiosity—thin-skinned, bellicose, distrustful, fickle, and vindictive.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
This yr, however, the energy - despite mostly dormant bats - has cranked back up.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
On one hand, some of you may be on the hunt for more money — like cranking along to take on more clients, get your expenses under control or eager to find a better-paying job.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
My feet were clipped in to pedals, my legs were turning crank arms, and the arms were linked via a chain to one of the wheels.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 May 2024
Secondary targets for theft include the pedals, crank arm and crankset, handlebar grips, shifter, derailleur, and brake calipers.
—Matt Jancer, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for crank
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crank. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crank
1 of 2 noun1
: a bent part of an axle or shaft or an armlike part at right angles to the end of a shaft that gives or receives circular motion
2
a
: a person with strange ideas
b
: a cross or irritable person
crank
2 of 2 verb
: to move, run, or start by or as if by turning a crank
crank up the window
you had to crank the old car
the engine isn't cranking right
Medical Definition
crank
noun
: crystal meth
specifically
: an impure form of crystal meth
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