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.
Bell recommends renter-friendly products such as stick-on tiles for the kitchen, suction storage products in the bathroom and expandable blinds that can be fitted without drilling.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Industry trade groups say that new drilling would boost investments and support jobs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
Within Labour, some support drilling for "security of supply and affordability", while others point to the jobs it can secure, said Jill Rutter, senior fellow at the Institute for Government.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Petrobras started the exploratory deep-water drilling operation in the area in October 2025.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
One of the masked men stares at me the entire time, as if he’s drilling holes into my body with his eyes.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
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.
