oiler

play

noun oil·er \ ˈȯi-lər \

Definition of oiler

1 :a person who oils something

2 :a receptacle or device for applying oil

3 oilers plural :oilskin 3

4 :an auxiliary naval vessel used for refueling at sea

See oiler defined for kids

Recent Examples of oiler from the Web

An oiler acts as an assistant to the large machine operators, maintaining the equipment, and in turn, the operator trains the apprentice on the job.

— jacob gedetsis, kansascity, "High above KC’s changing skyline, crane operators build downtown’s revitalization," 4 Aug. 2017
Oilers captain Connor McDavid has signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension, general manager Peter Chiarelli announced Wednesday.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "Oilers sign Connor McDavid to 8-year, $100 million extension," 5 July 2017
Talks broke down over disagreements about the role of oilers on building sites, how the GBCA should collect dues and when double time should be paid.

— jane m. von bergen, Philly.com, "Fragile peace: Crane union may end walkout," 1 July 2017
The Mahan was traveling in formation at the time with two other U.S. vessels, the amphibious craft Makin Island and the oiler Walter S. Diehl, Davis said.

— dan lamothe, Washington Post, "Iranian navy points laser at Marine helicopter in altercation involving three U.S. ships," 14 June 2017
A few hours earlier, Barkley interrupted Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey talking about the 1984-85 Oilers being voted by NHL fans as the greatest team in league history.

— teresa m. walker, The Denver Post, "Charles Barkley takes up Gary Bettman’s invitation to Stanley Cup Final," 5 June 2017
Mr. Donohue, who had served four years in the Marine Corps and was working as a merchant seaman, took this to heart and got a job as an oiler on the Drake Victory, a merchant ship taking ammunition from New York to Vietnam.

— corey kilgannon, New York Times, "A Daring Beer Run to Soldiers in Vietnam, Recounted Yet Again," 29 May 2017
Oilers in Boras Classic state final Huntington Beach plays San Jose Bellarmine Prep in the Boras Classic state baseball championship at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium on Saturday at noon.

— david carrillo peñaloza, Daily Pilot, "Possible CdM and Loyola CIF boys' volleyball final rematch," 4 May 2017
Oilers on NCAA stage Huntington Beach High had a strong presence at the NCAA men’s volleyball championship, which held its semifinals on Thursday.

— barry faulkner, Daily Pilot, "Hughes aims to complete collegiate legacy," 4 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oiler.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of oiler

circa 1846

Learn More about oiler

See words that rhyme with oiler

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up oiler? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

oiler

Definition of oiler

Recent Examples of oiler from the Web

First Known Use of oiler

Learn More about oiler

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

shofar

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Silent Letters

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

True or False?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Words of the Year: 1066

oiler

Definition of oiler

Read the Latest from M-W

Recent Examples of oiler from the Web

First Known Use of oiler

Learn More about oiler

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Words of the Year: 1066