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drill

n. · v.
US //ˈdɹɪɫ// UK //dɹˈɪl// drill
  1. 1 a tool (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a tool or machine with a rotating end used for making holes in hard materials.

    a handheld or stationary power tool used for boring holes in various materials by means of a rotating bit.

    Example

    He used an electric drill to hang the new shelves in the kitchen.

    Example

    The carpenter selected a high-torque drill to penetrate the dense oak beams without splintering the wood.
    • borer
    • power tool
  2. 2 practice exercise (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a regular activity or exercise that you repeat to learn a skill or prepare for an emergency.

    a repetitive training exercise designed to instill a specific skill or to prepare for emergency procedures through habituation.

    Example

    The school holds a fire drill every month so students know the exit routes.

    Example

    The coach insisted on a series of passing drills to ensure the players could maintain possession under heavy defensive pressure.
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  1. 3 music genre (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Music

    a style of hip-hop music with dark, violent lyrics and a heavy beat.

    a subgenre of trap music characterized by dark, nihilistic lyrical content and distinct rhythmic patterns, originating in Chicago.

    Example

    He listens to a lot of UK drill while he is working out at the gym.

    Example

    The rise of drill music has sparked significant sociological debate regarding the relationship between urban art forms and local crime rates.
  2. 4 to make a hole (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make a hole in something using a special tool.

    to bore a hole into a solid surface by removing material with a rotating cutting instrument.

    Example

    They had to drill through the concrete wall to install the new pipes.

    Example

    Engineers plan to drill several exploratory wells to determine the extent of the underground reservoir.
  3. 5 to teach by repetition (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to teach someone something by making them repeat it many times.

    to instruct or train someone through rigorous, repetitive exercise or persistent questioning.

    Example

    The teacher drilled the students on their multiplication tables every morning.

    Example

    The sergeant drilled the recruits for hours until their response to every command was instantaneous and precise.
  4. 6 to investigate (v.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    to look into something very deeply to find more details.

    to investigate or examine a topic or data set in increasing levels of detail; often used with 'down'.

    Example

    We need to drill down into the sales figures to see why they are falling.

    Example

    The analyst decided to drill down into the regional data to identify specific market segments that were underperforming.

    Usage

    Often used as the phrasal verb 'drill down' followed by the preposition 'into'.
Etymology 1

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

Etymology 2

Perhaps the same as Etymology 3; compare German Rille which can also mean "small furrow".

Etymology 3

Uncertain. Compare the same sense of trill, and German trillen, drillen. Attestation predates Etymology 1.

Etymology 4

From Middle English drillen (“to delay, defer, put off”), of origin unknown.

Etymology 5

] Source unknown. Probably of African origin; compare mandrill.

Etymology 6

From German Drillich (“denim, canvas, drill”).

Word family
Idioms4 entries

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