1
a
: a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task
b(1)
: the cutting or shaping part in a machine or machine tool
(2)
: a machine for shaping metal : machine tool
2
a
: something (such as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary in the practice of a vocation or profession
a scholar's books are his tools
b
: an element of a computer program (such as a graphics application) that activates and controls a particular function
a drawing tool
c
: a means to an end
a book's cover can be a marketing tool
d
slang, vulgar
: penis
3
a
: one who is used or manipulated by another
And then there was former trainer Pfeil, viewed as another tool of management for his gruff ways.—
Sam Smith
Sam Smith
b
informal
: a foolish or unlikable person : jerk
Before you compete on a reality TV show, you basically sign away your right to protect yourself from looking like a total tool in front of an international viewing audience.—Steve Tilley
Steve Tilley4
tools plural
: natural ability
has all the tools to be a great pitcher
tooled; tooling; tools
2
: to equip a plant or industry with the means (such as machines, machine tools, and instruments) of production
—often used with up
1
: to shape, form, or finish with a tool
especially
: to letter or ornament (something, such as leather or gold) by means of hand tools
2
a
: to cause (a vehicle) to go : drive
b
: to convey in a vehicle
3
: to equip (a factory, an industry, etc.) with tools, machines, and instruments for production
Synonyms
Examples of tool in a Sentence
Verb
We tooled along the highway.
He tooled a design on the leather belt.
a belt made of tooled leather
Recent Examples on the WebCurbed, 13 Sep. 2023
Roughly $3 billion is earmarked for developing the cars and tooling the Martorell plant, while an additional $7 billion will go towards building a new site outside of Valencia that will supply the battery cells.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2023
Smaller, wheeled units can roll from tool to tool, but may lack the power to handle your workload.
—Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 4 Aug. 2023
Once, some kid took a real thick piece of leather and tooled it.
—Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 25 July 2023
As her star continued to rise over the years, Ms. Bumbry was never afraid to inhabit the prima donna role offstage as well as on, outfitting herself in Yves Saint Laurent and Oscar de la Renta and tooling around in a Lamborghini.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 8 May 2023
What struck you most about Max while tooling around it today?
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 26 May 2023
The article generated over 300 shares on Facebook, according to social media insights tool CrowdTangle.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 30 June 2023
Though his family lived next to a Porsche dealership, a professor’s salary afforded little in the way of 90210 glamour, so Cage took the bus while the football players tooled around in sports cars.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 7 Jan. 2022
Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023
According to the complaint, the FBI obtained a warrant permitting the use of a sophisticated device called a cell-site simulator, which is a surveillance tool that mimics a cell phone tower, causing phones in the vicinity to register with the simulator.
—Josh Campbell, CNN, 23 Sep. 2023
Border carbon taxes will not solve the problem alone, but will likely be an important tool in reducing carbon emissions.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2023
In decades gone by, many amateur archaeologists and outright looters lifted artifacts from the caves, including ceramics, ornaments and stone tools.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 22 Sep. 2023
Amazon is introducing two tools that allow the new Alexa to control certain unique features of third-party manufacturer products that aren’t necessarily in Amazon’s smart home ecosystem toolkit.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 21 Sep. 2023
Rhodes joined founder of Advise Sports and Entertainment, Dee Thompson to discuss how athletes are utilizing new financial tools to best advance their interests outside of the game.
—Jaden Thompson, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023
Now, some new evidence from a cave in Spain shows that early humans may have returned to the burial site to craft tools from the bones and possibly extract marrow, potentially as food.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
To pilot these new tools, Nalaquq is training locals, most of them young people.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023
See More
Verb
While some may enjoy tooling around in their townhome’s backyard, a penthouse terrace requires the attention of professionals.
—Curbed, 13 Sep. 2023
Roughly $3 billion is earmarked for developing the cars and tooling the Martorell plant, while an additional $7 billion will go towards building a new site outside of Valencia that will supply the battery cells.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2023
Smaller, wheeled units can roll from tool to tool, but may lack the power to handle your workload.
—Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 4 Aug. 2023
Once, some kid took a real thick piece of leather and tooled it.
—Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 25 July 2023
As her star continued to rise over the years, Ms. Bumbry was never afraid to inhabit the prima donna role offstage as well as on, outfitting herself in Yves Saint Laurent and Oscar de la Renta and tooling around in a Lamborghini.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 8 May 2023
What struck you most about Max while tooling around it today?
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 26 May 2023
The article generated over 300 shares on Facebook, according to social media insights tool CrowdTangle.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 30 June 2023
Though his family lived next to a Porsche dealership, a professor’s salary afforded little in the way of 90210 glamour, so Cage took the bus while the football players tooled around in sports cars.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 7 Jan. 2022
Noun
The program, one of many run by the independent agency to promote research, awards funding to groups creating tools or techniques to mitigate misinformation, such as software for journalists to identify misinformation trending online.
—Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023
According to the complaint, the FBI obtained a warrant permitting the use of a sophisticated device called a cell-site simulator, which is a surveillance tool that mimics a cell phone tower, causing phones in the vicinity to register with the simulator.
—Josh Campbell, CNN, 23 Sep. 2023
Border carbon taxes will not solve the problem alone, but will likely be an important tool in reducing carbon emissions.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2023
In decades gone by, many amateur archaeologists and outright looters lifted artifacts from the caves, including ceramics, ornaments and stone tools.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 22 Sep. 2023
Amazon is introducing two tools that allow the new Alexa to control certain unique features of third-party manufacturer products that aren’t necessarily in Amazon’s smart home ecosystem toolkit.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 21 Sep. 2023
Rhodes joined founder of Advise Sports and Entertainment, Dee Thompson to discuss how athletes are utilizing new financial tools to best advance their interests outside of the game.
—Jaden Thompson, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023
Now, some new evidence from a cave in Spain shows that early humans may have returned to the burial site to craft tools from the bones and possibly extract marrow, potentially as food.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
To pilot these new tools, Nalaquq is training locals, most of them young people.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tool.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English tōl; akin to Old English tawian to prepare for use — more at taw
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1812, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a
Noun (2)
1881, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of tool was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing tool
Dictionary Entries Near tool
Cite this Entry
“Tool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tool. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
tool
1 of 2 noun1
: a device (as a hammer, saw, knife, or wrench) used or worked by hand or by a machine
2
a
: something used in doing one's job as if it were a tool
a scholar's books are his tools
b
: something that helps to gain an end
hard work is a tool for success
3
: a person used by another : dupe
tool
2 of 2 verb1
: to shape, form, or finish with a tool
2
: to equip a plant or industry with machines and tools for production
More from Merriam-Webster on tool
Nglish: Translation of tool for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tool for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tool
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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