craft

[[t]krɑ͟ːft, kræ̱ft[/t]]

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crafts, crafting, crafted

(craft is both the singular and the plural form for meaning 1.)

1) N-COUNT You can refer to a boat, a spacecraft, or an aircraft as a craft.

→ See also landing craft

With great difficulty, the fisherman manoeuvred his small craft close to the reef...

The troops are reported to have advanced nearly four miles since they were landed from naval craft on Sunday evening.

2) N-COUNT A craft is an activity such as weaving, carving, or pottery that involves making things skilfully with your hands.

...the arts and crafts of the North American Indians...

All kinds of traditional craft industries are preserved here.

3) N-COUNT You can use craft to refer to any activity or job that involves doing something skilfully.

...the craft of writing...

Maurice Murphy, one of the country's leading classical trumpeters, learnt his craft with the Black Dyke Mills band.

4) VERB If something is crafted, it is made skilfully.

[be V-ed] The windows would probably have been crafted in the latter part of the Middle Ages...

[V n] Many delegates were willing to craft a compromise...

[V-ed] The author extracts the maximum from every carefully-crafted scene in this witty tale.

[V-ed] ...original, hand-crafted bags at affordable prices.