tool
6 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
tools
plural
tools
Britannica Dictionary definition of TOOL
[count]
1
:
something (such as a hammer, saw, shovel, etc.) that you hold in your hand and use for a particular task
—
see also hand tool, machine tool
-
carpentry/garden tools
-
power tools [=tools that use electricity]
-
I don't have the right tools to fix the engine.
2
a
:
something that is used to do a job or activity
-
Words are a writer's tools.
b
:
something that helps to get or achieve something
-
Words are tools for communication.
-
A book's cover can be a great marketing tool.
-
The Internet has become an important research tool.
-
He has the tools [=natural skills] to be a great pitcher.
3
disapproving
a
:
someone or something that is used or controlled by another person or group
— often + of
-
a politician who is just a tool of special interests
-
He claims the government has become a tool of giant corporations.
b
informal
:
a foolish person who can easily be used or tricked by others
4
informal + impolite
:
a man's penis
tools of the/your trade
2
tool
/ˈtuːl/
verb
tools;
tooled;
tooling
2
tool
/ˈtuːl/
verb
tools;
tooled;
tooling
Britannica Dictionary definition of TOOL
1
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
US, informal
:
to drive or ride in a vehicle
-
We tooled along/up/down the highway.
-
I tooled around (town) all day.
2
[+ object]
:
to shape, form, or finish (something) with a tool
-
He tooled a design on the leather belt.
-
a belt made of tooled leather
tool up
[phrasal verb]
tool (something) up
or
tool up (something)
:
to provide (a factory) with machines and tools for producing something
-
The factory was not tooled up for this type of production.
