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.
Drilling down a little, here’s what we get per tested region.
From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026
Drilling fluid is a liquid used to cool and lubricate equipment during drilling.
From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026
Drilling down into the company’s forecasts, Bank of America said it would leverage its bulk to win more market share in areas such as middle-market business lending.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025
Drilling generally eats up about half the cost of a typical new geothermal project, says Moore.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025
Phillips drove to the last rig MGF Drilling had had running before it crashed, HCW no.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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.
