Meaning & use
mobile crane
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
a crane that can be driven or moved from place to place, used for lifting heavy loads
Grammar: Countable: use 'a mobile crane' or 'mobile cranes'.
Patterns
- a mobile crane
- operate a mobile crane
- hire a mobile crane
The workers used a mobile crane to lift the steel beams into place.
A mobile crane was brought in to remove the fallen tree.
Mobile cranes are common on construction sites because they can move easily.
Word forms
| plural | mobile cranes |
|---|
Common combinations
- operate a mobile crane
- Only trained workers may operate a mobile crane on this site.
- hire a mobile crane
- We hired a mobile crane to move the equipment.
- mobile crane operator
- He works as a mobile crane operator.
- a fleet of mobile cranes
- The company owns a fleet of mobile cranes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- crane
- The general word for any lifting machine; 'mobile crane' specifically means one that can move on wheels or tracks.
Commonly confused: mobile crane or tower crane?
mobile crane vs tower crane
A tower crane is fixed to the ground and very tall; a mobile crane can be driven from site to site.
Practice
Because the job site kept changing, the company decided to use a ______ instead of a tower crane.
Choose one answer.
A mobile crane can be moved easily, which fits a changing site. A tower crane is fixed in place, a forklift lifts smaller loads, and a conveyor belt moves materials continuously rather than lifting them.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mobile crane”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.