crank

1 of 5

noun

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)
(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 adjective

crank

2 of 5

verb

cranked; cranking; cranks

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 sense 2
usually used with up
crank up the volume

crank

3 of 5

adjective (1)

: 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

crank

4 of 5

adjective (2)

1
chiefly dialectal : merry, high-spirited
2
chiefly dialectal : cocky, confident

crank

5 of 5

adjective (3)

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
Noun
My 14-year-old daughter was able to run the crank without trouble. New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024 So, will the multigenerational drama based on Min Jin Lee’s novel crank up some audience-bait storylines? Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2024
Verb
The guy who owns the trendy cafe on the corner a few blocks from my house cranked up his giant pizza oven and served free burgers and chicken sandwiches, feeding 1,500 people. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024 The prep period and the days just after the procedure can bring uncomfortable symptoms as a result of cranking up your hormone levels (more on that below). Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Oct. 2024
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 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crank.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Adjective (2)

Middle English cranke

Adjective (3)

short for crank-sided easily tipped

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective (1)

1924, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (3)

circa 1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crank was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near crank

Cite this Entry

“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crank. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

crank

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on crank

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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