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
2a archaic : bendb : a twist or turn of speech : conceit —used especially in the phrase quips and cranksc (1) : caprice, crotchet (2) : an annoyingly eccentric person; also : one who is overly enthusiastic about a particular subject or activityd : a bad-tempered person : grouch
3 : crystal meth; specifically : an impure form of crystal meth
People Are Reading
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
First Known Use: 13th century
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
crank
Definition of crank
intransitive verb
1 : to move with a winding course : zigzag
2a : to turn a crankb : to get started by or as if by the turning of a crankc : 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
2a : to cause to start crank an automobileb : to rotate the shaft (such as a crankshaft) of especially with a starter crank over an enginec : to use in trying to start an engine crank the starter
3a : to start as if by use of a crank —usually used with up she cranked up the air conditionerb : turn up 2 —usually used with up crank up the volume
Examples of crank in a Sentence
He cranked the temperature to 75 degrees.
Crank the engine to see if it will start.
1592
First Known Use of crank
1592
crank
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
1924
First Known Use of crank
1924
Origin and Etymology of crank
Middle English cranke
First Known Use: 15th century
Origin and Etymology of crank
short for crank-sided easily tipped
First Known Use: circa 1649
CRANK Defined for English Language Learners
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
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
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
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
playMedical 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).
Writing? Check your grammar now!