tool meaning

• Noun: tool  tool
  1. An implement used in the practice of a vocation 
  2. The means whereby some act is accomplished
     "science has given us new tools to fight disease"
     - instrument 
  3. A person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else
     - creature, puppet 
  4. [vulgar] Obscene term for penis
  Verb: tool  tool
  1. Drive
     "The convertible tooled down the street" 
  2. Ride in a car with no particular goal and just for the pleasure of it
     "We tooled down the street"
     - joyride, tool around 
  3. Furnish with tools 
  4. Work with a tool

  Sounds like: tulle

  Derived forms: tooled, tooling, tools

  Type of: agency, drive, furnish, implement, means, member, penis, phallus, process, provide, render, ride, slave, supply, way, work, work on

  Encyclopedia: Tool Tool, TX Tool, Texas

• 
  [American slang]
  n. an earnest student.
  • Of course he's a tool. See the plastic liner in his pocket?
  • Martin is a tool, and he's proud of it.
  
  
• 
  [British slang]
  Noun. 1. A penis, implying its supposed usefulness. [1200s]
  2. An idiot, a contemptible person.
  
• 
  [Business]
  noun, verb

  ■ noun [C]

  MACHINE TOOL

  1

  an instrument that you hold in your hand and use for making things, repairing things, etc:

  a cutting tool

  a tool kit

  (= a set of tools in a box or bag)

  ◆ power tools

  (= using electricity)

  2

  a thing that helps you to do a job or to achieve sth:

  research tools such as questionnaires

  The Internet has become a powerful business tool.

  Strategic planning is a critical tool for effective management.

  These workshops are a great learning tool.

  ❖ business/decision-making/management/marketing/sales tools

  ◆ an essential/a key/powerful/practical/useful tool

  3

  a computer program that performs a particular function:

  The program comes with standard tools such as dictionary, spellchecker and thesaurus.

  ❖ design/desktop publishing/interactive/online/web-based tools

  IDIOMS

  the tools of your trade

  the things that you need to do your job

  DOWN verb

  ■ verb

  PHRASAL VERBS

  tool up; tool sb/sth up

  to get or provide sb/sth with the equipment that is necessary to do or produce sth:

  They have invested heavily, tooling up to make the new model.

  The factory is not tooled up to produce this type of engine.


[Computer]
1. <tool> A program used primarily to create, manipulate, modify, or analyse other programs, such as a compiler or an editor or a cross-referencing program. Opposite: app, operating system.

2. A Unix application program with a simple, "transparent" (typically text-stream) interface designed specifically to be used in programmed combination with other tools (see filter, plumbing).

3. <jargon> (MIT: general to students there) To work; to study (connotes tedium). The TMRC Dictionary defined this as "to set one's brain to the grindstone". See hack.

4. <jargon, person> (MIT) A student who studies too much and hacks too little. MIT's student humour magazine rejoices in the name "Tool and Die".

• edge tool, edged tool:    [Architecture]Any ...
• parting tool, v-tool:    [Architecture]A na ...
• alignment tool:    [Electronics]A spe ...

Examples

1. do not play about with my expensive tools!
2. the tool shed is at the bottom of the garden.
3. we have the tools for heading off disaster.
4. i shall manage with the tools i have.
5. this is a very handy tool for opening cans.