drill

[[t]drɪ̱l[/t]]

drills, drilling, drilled

1) N-COUNT A drill is a tool or machine that you use for making holes.

...pneumatic drills.

...a dentist's drill.

2) VERB When you drill into something or drill a hole in something, you make a hole in it using a drill.

[V prep] He drilled into the wall of Lili's bedroom...

[V n] I drilled five holes at equal distance.

3) VERB When people drill for oil or water, they search for it by drilling deep holes in the ground or in the bottom of the sea.

[V for n] There have been proposals to drill for more oil...

The team is still drilling.

Derived words:

drilling N-UNCOUNT

Drilling is due to start early next year.

4) N-COUNT A drill is a way that teachers teach their students something by making them repeat it many times.

The teacher runs them through a drill - the days of the week, the weather and some counting.

5) VERB If you drill people, you teach them to do something by making them repeat it many times.

[V n] He drills the choir to a high standard.

Derived words:

drilling N-UNCOUNT

...stimulation rather than repetitive drilling.

6) N-VAR: oft N n A drill is repeated training for a group of people, especially soldiers, so that they can do something quickly and efficiently.

The Marines carried out landing exercises in a drill that includes 18 ships and 90 aircraft...

His hands were clasped behind him like a drill sergeant.

7) N-COUNT: oft n N A drill is a routine exercise or activity, in which people practise what they should do in dangerous situations.

...a fire drill.

...air-raid drills.

8) N-UNCOUNT: oft n N, N n Drill is thick cotton material which is used for making uniforms and trousers.

...cotton drill.

9) N-COUNT A drill is a long line in the earth, a few centimetres deep, which a farmer or gardener makes to plant seeds in.

Sow the seeds in drills about 1/2in. deep and 12in. apart.