forklift

American  

[fawrk-lift] / ˈfɔrkˌlɪft /

noun

forklifts plural

1. 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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to move or stack by forklift.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• forklifts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of forklift

First recorded in 1940–45; fork + lift

Example Sentences

Forklift trucks moved tonnes of medicine and food to help the nearly two million displaced in Gaza - roughly 90% of the population.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2025

On his Instagram page, Zernik described himself as such: “Moorpark College Wrestler. Forklift driver. Hard worker.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2023

Forklift truck driver Mr Ward said they "sat in stunned silence" when they realised they had won £1m.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2022

People drive in from D.C. and Silver Spring or even make the short walk south from downtown Hyattsville because they want what Community Forklift sells out of its 40,000-square-foot warehouse — at a steep discount.

From Washington Post • Aug. 17, 2022

Back at Chad, Richard earned his high school diploma and then began taking vocational classes, earning certificates in programs like Irrigation Design and Forklift Driving.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater