26984 words

drill

11 definitions • 15 examples
1
a tool or machine that makes holes:

Examples:

an electric drill
a dentist's drill
2
an activity that practises a particular skill and often involves repeating the same thing several times, especially a military exercise intended to train soldiers:

Examples:

In some of these schools, army-style drills are used to instil a sense of discipline.
3
a style of trap music (= a kind of popular music with complicated electronic beats and words spoken rather than sung) that started in Chicago and also became popular in London, and that is known for its lyrics (= words) describing a difficult and violent life in an urban (= city) environment:

Examples:

The gritty lyrics of drill strongly contrast with the subject matter of mainstream hip hop, which tends to glorify wealth.
Chicago’s South Side produced the raw, unapologetic drill music scene.
4
to make a hole in something using a special tool:

Examples:

Drill three holes in the wall for the screws.
drill for They are going to drill for oil nearby.
5
to practise something, especially military exercises, or to make someone do this:

Examples:

6
to tell someone something repeatedly to make them remember it:

Examples:

be drilled into It was drilled into us at an early age that we should always say "please" and "thank you".
drill someone in something He drilled the children in what they should say.
7
to cut or dig a hole into something:

Examples:

[ T ] First, drill a small hole in the board.
8
to make someone practice a skill by repeating the same thing several times:

Examples:

The teacher drills them in arithmetic every day.
9
a tool or machine that cuts or digs into something to make holes
10

Examples:

[ C ] For homework, complete the drill on irregular verbs on pages 30 through 35.
11
to make a deep hole in the ground with a special machine in order to look for oil, gas, etc.:

Examples:

drill for sth The report discussed to what extent foreign companies should be allowed to drill for oil.

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