crank

noun \ ˈkraŋk \

Definition of crank

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 a archaic : bend

b : a twist or turn of speech : conceit —used especially in the phrase quips and cranks

c (1) : caprice, crotchet

(2) : an annoyingly eccentric person; also : one who is overly enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity

d : a bad-tempered person : grouch

3 : crystal meth; specifically : an impure form of crystal meth

—

crankish

play \ˈkraŋ-kish\ adjective

See crank defined for English-language learners

See crank defined for kids

Examples of crank in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of crank

Middle English cranke, from Old English cranc- (as in crancstæf, a weaving instrument); probably akin to Middle High German krank weak, sick — more at cringe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

crank Synonyms

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

crank

verb

Definition of crank

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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 2 —usually used with up

crank up the volume

See crank defined for English-language learners

Examples of crank in a Sentence

He cranked the temperature to 75 degrees.
Crank the engine to see if it will start.

First Known Use of crank

1592

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

crank

adjective

Definition of crank

: 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

First Known Use of crank

1924

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

crank

adjective

Definition of crank

1 chiefly dialectal : merry, high-spirited

2 chiefly dialectal : cocky, confident

Origin and Etymology of crank

Middle English cranke

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

crank

adjective

Definition of crank

of a boat

: easily tipped : ¹tender 4d

Origin and Etymology of crank

short for crank-sided easily tipped

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1649

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

CRANK Defined for English Language Learners

crank

noun

Definition of crank for English Language Learners

: a machine part with a handle that can be turned in a circular motion to move something
: a person who has strange ideas or thinks too much about one thing
: a person who is often angry or easily annoyed

crank

verb

Definition of crank for English Language Learners

: to move (something) by turning a crank
: to increase (something) especially by a large amount
: to start or try to start (an engine) by using a crank or some other method to get it moving

CRANK Defined for Kids

crank

noun \ ˈkraŋk \

Definition of crank for Students

1 : a bent part with a handle that is turned to start or run machinery

2 : a person with strange ideas

3 : a cross or irritable person

crank

verb

Definition of crank for Students

cranked; cranking

1 : to start or run by or as if by turning a part with a handle

2 : to make or become greater in speed or intensity

crank the volume

— crank out

: to produce quickly and often carelessly

You can't just crank out a good book.

Medical Dictionary

crank

noun \ ˈkraŋk \

medical Definition of crank

: crystal meth; specifically : an impure form of crystal meth

Learn More about crank

See words that rhyme with crank Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for crank Spanish Central: Translation of crank Nglish: Translation of crank for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crank for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crank

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up crank? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

crank

Definition of crank

crankish

Examples of crank in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of crank

crank Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

crank

Definition of crank

Examples of crank in a Sentence

First Known Use of crank

crank

Definition of crank

First Known Use of crank

crank

Definition of crank

Origin and Etymology of crank

crank

Definition of crank

Origin and Etymology of crank

CRANK Defined for English Language Learners

crank

Definition of crank for English Language Learners

crank

Definition of crank for English Language Learners

CRANK Defined for Kids

crank

Definition of crank for Students

crank

Definition of crank for Students

Medical Dictionary

crank

medical Definition of crank

Learn More about crank

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word