gantry

noun

gan·​try ˈgan-trē How to pronounce gantry (audio)
plural gantries
1
: a frame for supporting barrels
2
: a frame structure raised on side supports so as to span over or around something: such as
a
: a platform made to carry a traveling crane and supported by towers or side frames running on parallel tracks
also : a movable structure with platforms at different levels used for erecting and servicing rockets before launching
b
: a structure spanning several railroad tracks and displaying signals for each

Examples of gantry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In an unprecedented feat, SpaceX successfully captured the descending Super Heavy using powerful mechanical arms on its launch gantry. William Harwood, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2024 Most equipment on the port side is primarily diesel-driven, including rubber-tire gantries and container handling equipment, not to mention the vehicles going in and out of the port. David Blekhman, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 The site features a massive gantry key used to drop aircraft from as high as 200 feet. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 17 Aug. 2024 The truck drives under the gantry and then the cable is brought down from above to charge it. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter. James Morris, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gantry 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gauntree, reshaping (perhaps conformed to tre tree entry 1) of ganter, borrowed from Anglo-French *ganter (Old French —Picard— gantier, Old French chantier), going back to Latin cantērius, canthērius "horse of poor quality, rafter, prop for vines," akin to Greek kanthḗlia "panniers," (ónos) kanthḗlios "pack ass," both loanwords from an undetermined Mediterranean language

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gantry was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near gantry

Cite this Entry

“Gantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gantry. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gantry

noun
gan·​try ˈgan-trē How to pronounce gantry (audio)
plural gantries
1
: a platform made to carry a traveling crane and supported by towers running on parallel tracks
2
: a movable structure used for erecting and servicing rockets before launching
3
: a structure spanning several railroad tracks and displaying signals
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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