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
3
: crystal meth
specifically
: an impure form of crystal meth
cranked; cranking; cranks
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
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
: 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
1
chiefly dialectal
: merry, high-spirited
of a boat
: easily tipped : tender entry 1 sense 4d
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crank. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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