haul
HAWL
/hɔːl/
To pull or drag with effort or force; to transport goods, especially in a truck or cart.
Suggests moving heavy, bulky, or massive loads over a distance.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Old French haler, which meant 'to pull or drag with force,' often used by sailors pulling ropes. It entered English in the 17th century and gradually became associated with transporting heavy goods over long distances.
Word relationships
- drag: Drag implies friction against the ground, whereas haul refers to the energetic transport of a load, often on a vehicle.
- tow: Tow specifically means pulling a vehicle behind another, while haul can mean carrying the load on top of a truck bed.
Commonly confused with
- hoist: Hoist means to lift vertically, while haul means to pull or transport horizontally.
Word family
- hauler (noun): A person or vehicle that hauls heavy loads.
- haulage (noun): The commercial transport of goods.
Collocations
- long haul
- haul cargo
- haul away
Idioms & expressions
- over the long haul (over a long period of time)
Example sentences
- "The heavy-duty tow truck was designed to haul massive semi-trucks off the highway." Describing heavy transport operations.
Memory hook
Think of a 'haul' as pulling something so heavy you have to 'exhale' loudly while doing it. Heavy pull, heavy haul.
When not to use
Do not use for carrying light objects in your hands; use 'carry' or 'hold' instead.
Fun facts
- The term 'long-haul flight' directly borrows its name from the commercial trucking industry's 'long-haul' routes.
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