tool

[ tool ]

noun

1. an implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.
2. any instrument of manual operation.
3. the cutting or machining part of a lathe, planer, drill, or similar machine.
4. the machine itself; a machine tool.
5. anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose:

   Education is a tool for success.

6. a person manipulated by another for the latter's own ends; cat's-paw.
7. the design or ornament impressed upon the cover of a book.
8. Underworld Slang.
   1. a pistol or gun.
   2. a pickpocket.
9. Slang: Vulgar. penis.

verb (used with object)

1. to work or shape with a tool.
2. to work decoratively with a hand tool.
3. to ornament (the cover of a book) with a bookbinder's tool.
4. to drive (a vehicle):

   He tooled the car along the treacherous path.

5. to equip with tools or machinery.

verb (used without object)

1. to work with a tool.
2. to drive or ride in a vehicle:

   tooling along the freeway.

verb phrase

1. to install machinery designed for performing a particular job:

   manufacturers tooling up for production.

tool

/ tuːl /

noun

1. 1. an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
   2. a power-driven instrument; machine tool
   3. ( in combination )

      a toolkit

2. the cutting part of such an instrument
3. 1. any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover
   2. a design so impressed
4. anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end

   he used his boss's absence as a tool for gaining influence

5. a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another
6. a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's profession

   numbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade

7. slang.
   another word for penis
8. an underworld slang word for gun

verb

1. to work, cut, shape, or form (something) with a tool or tools
2. tr to decorate (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool
3. troften foll byup to furnish with tools
4. whenintr, often foll by along to drive (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) to be driven, esp in a leisurely or casual style

Derived Forms

• ˈtool-less, adjective
• ˈtooler, noun

Other Words From

• tooler noun
• toolless adjective
• multi·tool noun
• un·tooled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tool¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English tōl; cognate with Old Norse tōl “tools”; akin to taw ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of tool¹

Old English tōl; related to Old Norse tōl weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw ²

Example Sentences

This means that cell density is a broadly applicable tool for guiding both engineered and naturally occurring cells to build a vast array of structures, tissues, and organs.

From Science Daily

This is the chief tool used by the Bank to try to keep inflation at its 2% target.

From BBC

Yet, it’s back on the table, teed up by congressional Republicans as a deficit-cutting tool.

From Los Angeles Times

“We didn’t want that. We developed this tool called ‘Doodle’ — as you draw, and depending on your pen pressure, it makes the volume thinner or thicker.

From Los Angeles Times

It urged the health system to take additional steps, including creating an online tool for patients to report incidents of suspected bias.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apparatus
• appliance
• device
• engine
• gadget
• gizmo
• machine
• means
• mechanism
• utensil
• weapon

When To Use

What are other ways to say tool?

The word tool usually refers to a handheld object, such as a hammer, saw, or file, that is used to perform or facilitate mechanical operations. When should you use this noun over instrument, implement, or utensil? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.