forklift

[ fawrk-lift ]

noun

1. Also called forklift truck,. a small vehicle with two power-operated prongs at the front that can be slid under heavy loads and then raised for moving and stacking materials in warehouses, shipping depots, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to move or stack by forklift.

Word History and Origins

Origin of forklift¹

First recorded in 1940–45; fork + lift

Example Sentences

EP Equipment, a manufacturer of lithium-powered warehouse forklifts founded in Hangzhou 28 years ago, has with Sinovation Ventures’ backing launched autonomous models that are able to maneuver themselves in factories and on warehouse floors.

From Time

He wrote that the company plans to invest more than $300 million this year in safety projects, including $66 million to create technology that will help prevent collisions of forklifts and other types of industrial vehicles.

From Washington Post

Recio tells us about a bull elephant that used its tusks as a forklift to rescue a baby rhino that was stuck in the mud, despite being charged repeatedly by the mama rhino, which apparently mistook this compassionate act for aggression.

From Washington Post

If the feds approve the highway project, San Diego could use federal dollars to purchase all-electric forklifts, tractors and harbor cranes and charging stations.

From Voice of San Diego

He cut and weeded lettuce, stacked strawberry boxes after the harvest, drove a forklift in the warehouse.

From MIT Technology Review

If you try to get work in a factory, how is your 10-year-old DUI relevant to that, if you are not driving a forklift?

From The Daily Beast

One time while at work, Mama June had a forklift run over her toe.

From The Daily Beast

Jon called to him, the robot swung up his forklift and rolled over on noiseless tires.

From Project Gutenberg

In England a 40-cell unit has been used to drive a forklift truck and to do electric welding.

From Project Gutenberg