forklift

American

[fawrk-lift] / ˈfɔrkˌlɪft /

noun

Also called forklift truck,. Also called fork 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)

to move or stack by forklift.

Etymology

Origin of forklift

First recorded in 1940–45; fork + lift

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of the employees still work there, including Jorge Cuervo, the production supervisor, and Fabian Diaz, who mans the forklift.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Counterfeit and contaminated products could be crushed by a forklift or incinerated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

It believes Toyota Motor’s offer to buy the forklift maker is too low.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

The lorry arrived at the manufacturing company, a forklift truck loaded it up with DIY products and the lorry drove off, she says.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025

Otrera herself stood astride a battle forklift, her silver hair flowing as she swung her mounted crossbow toward the chariot.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023