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drill

verb (1)
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\ ˈdril How to pronounce drill (audio) \
drilled; drilling; drills

Definition of drill

 (Entry 1 of 6)

transitive verb

1a : to fix something in the mind or habit pattern of by repetitive instruction drill pupils in spelling
b : to impart or communicate by repetition
c : to train or exercise in military drill
2a(1) : to bore or drive a hole in
(2) : to make by piercing action drill a hole
b : to shoot with or as if with a gun
c(1) : to propel (something, such as a ball) with force or accuracy drilled a single to right field
(2) : to hit with force drilled the batter with the first pitch

intransitive verb

1 : to make a hole with a drill
2 : to engage in an exercise

drill

noun (1)

Definition of drill (Entry 2 of 6)

1 : an instrument with an edged or pointed end for making holes in hard substances by revolving or by a succession of blows also : a machine for operating such an instrument
2 : the act or exercise of training soldiers in marching and in executing prescribed movements with a weapon
3a : a physical or mental exercise aimed at perfecting facility and skill especially by regular practice
b : a formal exercise by a team of marchers
c : the approved, correct, or usual procedure for accomplishing something : routine
4a : a marine snail (Urosalpinx cinerea) destructive to oysters by boring through their shells and feeding on the soft parts
b : any of several mollusks related to the drill
5 : a drilling sound

drill

noun (2)

Definition of drill (Entry 3 of 6)

: a western African baboon (Mandrillus leucophaeus synonym Papio leucophaeus) having a black face and brown coat and closely related to the mandrill

drill

noun (3)

Definition of drill (Entry 4 of 6)

1a : a shallow furrow or trench into which seed is sown
b : a row of seed sown in such a furrow
2 : a planting implement that makes holes or furrows, drops in the seed and sometimes fertilizer, and covers them with earth

drill

verb (2)
drilled; drilling; drills

Definition of drill (Entry 5 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to sow (seeds) by dropping along a shallow furrow
2a : to sow with seed or set with seedlings inserted in drills
b : to distribute seed or fertilizer in by means of a drill

drill

noun (4)

Definition of drill (Entry 6 of 6)

: a durable cotton twilled fabric
Other Words from drill Synonyms Phrases Containing drill Learn More About drill

Other Words from drill

Verb (1)

drillability \ ˌdri-​lə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce drill (audio) \ noun
drillable \ ˈdri-​lə-​bəl How to pronounce drill (audio) \ adjective
driller \ ˈdri-​lər How to pronounce drill (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for drill

Synonyms: Verb (1)

Synonyms: Noun (1)

Synonyms: Verb (2)

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First Known Use of drill

Verb (1)

1619, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (4)

1743, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for drill

Verb (1)

Dutch drillen

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

perhaps from drill small stream, from obsolete drill to trickle, drip

Noun (4)

short for drilling

Learn More About drill

Dictionary Entries Near drill

driki

drill

drill barrow

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Statistics for drill

Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drill. Accessed 4 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for drill

drill

verb
\ ˈdril How to pronounce drill (audio) \
drilled; drilling

Kids Definition of drill

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : to make holes in with a drill
2 : to teach by repeating a lesson or exercise again and again

Other Words from drill

driller noun an oil driller

drill

noun

Kids Definition of drill (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a tool for making holes in hard substances
2 : the training of soldiers (as in marching)
3 : instruction in a subject or physical training that is practiced repeatedly

drill

noun

Kids Definition of drill (Entry 3 of 4)

: a special machine for making holes or furrows and planting seeds in them

drill

verb
drilled; drilling

Kids Definition of drill (Entry 4 of 4)

: to sow seeds with or as if with a special machine

drill

transitive verb
\ ˈdril How to pronounce drill (audio) \

Medical Definition of drill

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to make a hole in with a drill the dentist drilled the tooth for a filling

intransitive verb

: to make a hole with a drill painless dental drilling

drill

noun

Medical Definition of drill (Entry 2 of 2)

: an instrument with an edged or pointed end for making holes in hard substances (as bones or teeth) by revolving

More from Merriam-Webster on drill

Nglish: Translation of drill for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of drill for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drill

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