Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

drill

/dɹɪl/ noun

In Latin: terebrō, trānsfīgō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about drill at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A tool with a sharp point and cutting edges for making holes in hard materials (usually rotating rapidly or by repeated blows).
Similar to the mandrill but smaller and less brightly colored.
Systematic training by multiple repetitions.
practice makes perfect

verb

Make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool.
don't drill here, there's a gas pipe
Train in the military, e.g., in the use of weapons.
Learn by repetition.
We drilled French verbs every day

Origin

From Middle Dutch drillen (“bore, move in a circle”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word