drilling
1 Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of drilling1
First recorded in 1615–25; drill 1 + -ing 1
Origin of drilling2
1630–40; alteration of German Drillich, itself alteration of Latin trilīx triple-twilled ( German dri- three- replacing Latin tri- )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
BloombergNEF says Fervo’s drilling costs per well have declined by about 29% with each doubling of cumulative wells drilled.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
"Our pastures have been closed off because of an exploratory drilling plan for a gold mine," said Nuriye Dilek, a 48-year-old livestock farmer.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
These acted as a curb on producers’ capital expenditures, helping reassure investors that companies wouldn’t return to their habit of excessive drilling.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
As the rover pulled its arm back after drilling, the entire rock unexpectedly lifted out of the Martian surface.
From Science Daily • May 11, 2026
The hose appeared to be connected to whatever was making the drilling noise inside.
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
