oiler

American  

[oi-ler] / ˈɔɪ lər /

noun

1. a person or thing that oils.

2. a worker employed to oil machinery.

3. any of several devices, other than pressure devices, for feeding lubricating oil to a bearing.

4. an oilcan.

5. Often oilers. an oilskin garment, especially a coat.

6. a ship using oil as fuel.

7. oil tanker.

8. an oil well.

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oiler British  

/ ˈɔɪlə /

noun

1. a person, device, etc, that lubricates or supplies oil

2. an oil tanker

3. an oil well

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Etymology

Origin of oiler

First recorded in 1545–55; oil + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oiler

By contrast, logistics is pretty mundane; the big contractors don’t pine for contracts to build oiler ships, cranes, or commissaries.

From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026

The memo calls for Navy Secretary John Phelan to select a new name for the fleet oiler.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2025

In April 1908, a defective steam pipe burst at the plant, hurling two Georges — George Tucker, chief engineer, and George Love, oiler — 25 feet to the concrete floor below.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 26, 2023

After serving on a Navy oiler in the Atlantic briefly, he acted on a longstanding desire to be a flier and obtained a transfer to flight training with the Marines.

From New York Times ● Nov. 13, 2022

“Your Royal Highness—” “Do you oiler me freedom?”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• gusher
• oil rig
• oilfield