forklift

noun

fork·​lift ˈfȯrk-ˌlift 

: a self-propelled machine for hoisting and transporting heavy objects by means of steel fingers inserted under the load

Examples of forklift in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Port of Los Angeles forklift driver was wearing a life vest and was floating away, out to sea -- cold, worried about sharks and drowning. — Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Because the other forklift wasn’t part of the technician’s inventory, their AI platform didn’t have the parts list and other data to repair it properly. — Shriram Rajagopal, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Qidi packed the machine extremely well, with thick foam inserts, transport brackets, shipping screws, and enough zip ties to survive a forklift rodeo on the way to my shop. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

In addition, the massive physical film rolls must be shipped to theaters in multiple parts, hand-spliced for several hours, and transported to the projector via forklift. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forklift

• adrift
• airlift
• facelift
• festschrift
• gearshift
• makeshift
• redshift
• sealift
• snowdrift
• spendthrift
• clift
• drift

Kids Definition

forklift

noun

fork·​lift ˈfȯr-ˌklift 

: a machine for lifting heavy objects by means of steel fingers inserted under the load