Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Iger determined that Disney was cranking out too many TV shows and made-for-streaming movies, many of which didn’t live up to the company’s high standards of quality and diluted its blockbuster franchises.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2026
After the war, the plant was cranking out 10,000 sewing machines a year, and as many 40,000 workers punched a clock there.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2024
Before long, America was cranking out its own supply of household name, superstar female gymnasts.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2020
Henry Ford was cranking out Model Ts that almost anyone could afford.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2016
In the dream I was at a church, the same church my mom’s funeral was in, except this time the air conditioner was cranking.
From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds
