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.
The treatment can stop decay without drilling, injections, or sedation.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
While its emissions are lower, drilling and extracting it causes the leakage of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas and the main component of natural gas.
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
Analysts think the recent relief might be short-lived given how much drilling is planned in America’s premier oil patch before the next batch of pipelines comes online toward the end of the decade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
The Financial Times reported he could ease restrictions on oil and gas drilling in the North Sea to reduce energy bills.
From Barron's ● Jul. 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.
