crank

UK: /ˈkræŋk/ US: /kræŋk/ ,(krangk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

crank¹ /kræŋk/   n. [countable]

1. Mechanical Engineering an arm or lever for imparting motion to a rotating shaft.
2. Informal Terms Informal. a bad-tempered, grouchy person:
   an old crank.
3. a person who has strange ideas or who supports bizarre causes:
   had to deal with all sorts of cranks among the public.

v. 

4. Mechanical Engineering to rotate or move (something) by means of a crank:
   [~ + object] cranked the window open.
5. Automotive to start (an engine) by turning the crankshaft: [~ + object]
   I tried cranking the engine but it wouldn't start.
   [no object]
   The engine cranked until the battery wore down, but it still wouldn't start.
6. crank out, to produce a large number of (something) in a mechanical way: [~ + out + object]
   managed to crank out two bestsellers within a few months.
   [~ + object + out]
   She could really crank them out in a hurry.
7. crank up,
   • [no object] to get started: The new theater season is cranking up with a gala benefit.
   • [~ + up + object] to stimulate or produce: to crank up enthusiasm for a new product.

adj. [usually: before a noun]

8. of, relating to, or done by an unbalanced person:
   a crank phone call.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

crank¹  (krangk), n. 

1. Mechanical Engineering [Mach.] any of several types of arms or levers for imparting rotary or oscillatory motion to a rotating shaft, one end of the crank being fixed to the shaft and the other end receiving reciprocating motion from a hand, connecting rod, etc.
2. Informal Terms an ill-tempered, grouchy person.
3. an unbalanced person who is overzealous in the advocacy of a private cause.
4. an eccentric or whimsical notion.
5. a strikingly clever turn of speech or play on words.
6. [Archaic.] a bend;
   turn.
7. Drugs, Slang Terms [Slang.] the nasal decongestant propylhexedrine, used illicitly for its euphoric effects.
8. Automotive a crankshaft.

v.t. 

9. to bend into or make in the shape of a crank.
10. to furnish with a crank.
11. Mechanical Engineering [Mach.] to rotate (a shaft) by means of a crank.
12. Automotive to start (an internal-combustion engine) by turning the crankshaft manually or by means of a small motor.
13. Automotive to start the engine of (a motor vehicle) by turning the crankshaft manually.

v.i. 

14. Automotive to turn a crank, as in starting an automobile engine.
15. [Obs.] to turn and twist;
    zigzag.
16. crank down, to cause to diminish or terminate:
    the president's efforts to crank down inflation.
17. crank in or into, to incorporate as an integral part:
    Overhead is cranked into the retail cost.
18. crank out, to make or produce in a mass-production, effortless, or mechanical way:
    She's able to crank out one best-selling novel after another.
19. crank up, [Informal.]
    • to get started or ready:
      The theater season is cranking up with four benefit performances.
    • to stimulate, activate, or produce:
      to crank up enthusiasm for a new product.
    • to increase one's efforts, output, etc.:
      Industry began to crank up after the new tax incentives became law.

adj. 

20. unstable;
    shaky;
    unsteady.
21. of, pertaining to, or by an unbalanced or overzealous person:
    a crank phone call; crank mail.
22. British Terms cranky¹ (def. 5).

• Middle English cranke, Old English cranc-, in crancstǣf crank (see staff¹) bef. 1000

crank′less, adj. 

crank²  (krangk), adj. [Naut.]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms Also, cranky. having a tendency to roll easily, as a boat or ship;
   tender (opposed to stiff).

n. 

2. Nautical, Naval Terms a crank vessel.

• 1690–1700; probably to be identified with crank¹, but sense developement unclear; compare crank-sided

crank³  (krangk), adj. [Brit. Dial.]

1. British Terms lively;
   high-spirited.

• Middle English cranke, of obscure origin, originally 1350–1400

crank′ly, adv. 
crank′ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

crank / kræŋk/ noun

1. a device for communicating motion or for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa. It consists of an arm projecting from a shaft, often with a second member attached to it parallel to the shaft
2. Also called: crank handle, starting handle a handle incorporating a crank, used to start an engine or motor
3. an eccentric or odd person, esp someone who stubbornly maintains unusual views
4. a bad-tempered person
5. a slang name for crystal meth

verb

1. (transitive) to rotate (a shaft) by means of a crank
2. (transitive) to start (an engine, motor, etc) by means of a crank handle
3. (transitive) to bend, twist, or make into the shape of a crank
4. (intransitive) to twist or wind

Etymology: Old English cranc; related to Middle Low German krunke wrinkle, Dutch krinkel crinkle