haul
HAWL
/hɔːl/
To pull or drag heavy material over a distance, typically using a heavy vehicle or sustained effort.
Emphasizes long-distance transport of large volume or heavy physical load across sites.
The story behind the word. Derived from Old French 'haler' (to pull or drag), which was borrowed from Germanic nautical traditions describing pulling ships along canals with ropes tied to riverbanks.
Word relationships
- transport: 'Transport' is a generic formal term, while 'haul' specifically implies heavy, strenuous cargo movement.
- cart: 'Cart' implies smaller, lighter transport often on wheels, whereas 'haul' implies massive industrial loads.
Commonly confused with
- hoist: 'Haul' moves heavy loads across distance horizontally/geographically; 'hoist' raises heavy loads vertically.
Word family
- hauler (noun): A heavy vehicle or company engaged in hauling cargo.
- haulage (noun): The commercial transport of goods or the charge for transporting them.
Collocations
- haul heavy loads
- long-haul truck
- haul gravel
- haul away debris
Idioms & expressions
- in it for the long haul (committed over a long period of time)
Example sentences
- "Gigantic dump trucks were assigned to haul tons of mined rock out of the pit to the processing plant." Mining Logistics
- "The transport crew used flatbed trailers to haul the heavy crawler equipment across state lines." Construction Transport
Memory hook
HAUL sounds like ALL: pulling ALL the heavy weight across the distance. HAUL = heavy hauling over long distance.
When not to use
Do not use for short vertical lifts (use 'hoist' or 'lift').
Fun facts
- Ultra-class mining haul trucks stand over two stories high and can weigh up to 600 tons fully loaded!
Related words
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