oiler

noun

oil·​er ˈȯi-lər 

1

: a person who oils something

2

: a receptacle or device for applying oil

3

oilers plural : oilskin sense 3

4

: an auxiliary naval vessel used for refueling at sea

Examples of oiler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This included preserving the original 427 ci Ford FE big-block side-oiler V-8, and replacing it with a rebuilt version. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026

The name Kansas City was also assigned to the Wichita-class replenishment oiler AOR-3 in 1967. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Jan. 2026

In June, Hegseth also ordered the renaming of an oiler ship named after gay rights activist and Navy veteran Harvey Milk. — Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025

The Nimitz, along with three destroyers and a replenishment oiler, was captured in satellite imagery while underway in the Arabian Sea off the southern coast of Oman on Sunday. — Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oiler

• boiler
• broiler
• spoiler
• toiler
• reboiler

Kids Definition

oiler

noun

oil·​er ˈȯi-lər 

1

: a person (as a worker) who oils something

2

: a device for applying oil