crane
Plural
cranes
1
a large, long-necked wading bird, typically found in marshes, wetlands, and plains worldwide
A crane is a large, long-legged, and long-necked bird that belongs to the Gruidae family. They are known for their gracefulness, with their long necks and slender bodies. They are found all over the world, except in Antarctica and some oceanic islands. Cranes are generally monogamous birds, with some species mating for life. They are known for their elaborate courtship displays, which involve dancing, calling, and bowing. Cranes are omnivores, feeding on plants, insects, and small animals. Some species of crane are migratory, traveling great distances each year between their breeding and wintering grounds.
- The sandhill crane migrated across the valley.
- Cranes are known for their graceful dancing displays.
- A family of cranes fed in the shallow marsh.
- The birdwatcher spotted a rare black-necked crane.
- Cranes often nest in wetlands and reed beds.
2
a very large tall machine used for lifting heavy objects
A crane is a large machine used for lifting and moving heavy loads, typically in construction, shipping, or industrial settings. It consists of a tall, movable arm or boom with a hook or other lifting device at the end, which can be raised, lowered, or extended to pick up and transport materials. Cranes are powered by electricity, diesel, or pressurized fluid and can be stationary or mobile, mounted on trucks, or positioned on construction sites. They are essential for handling heavy equipment, large building materials, or shipping containers, making tasks that would be difficult or impossible by hand much easier and safer.
- The construction site buzzed with activity as the crane lifted steel beams into place for the new skyscraper.
- A massive crane loomed over the shipyard, hoisting cargo containers onto waiting vessels.
- The firefighters used a specialized crane to rescue the stranded cat from the top of the tree.
- The port relied on cranes to unload cargo ships, transferring containers from the docks to waiting trucks.
- The film crew set up a crane to capture sweeping aerial shots of the city skyline for the movie.
3
a small southern-hemisphere constellation located near Phoenix
- The astronomer located Crane near the constellation Phoenix.
- Crane is faint but can be seen under dark skies.
- The telescope captured images of the stars in Crane.
- Crane contains several notable double stars.
- Early navigators used Crane for orientation in the southern sky.
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