tool

American  

[tool] / tul /

noun

1. an implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.

2. any instrument of manual operation.

3. the cutting or machining part of a lathe, planer, drill, or similar machine.

4. the machine itself; a machine tool.

5. anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose.

   Education is a tool for success.

6. a person manipulated by another for the latter's own ends; cat's-paw.

7. the design or ornament impressed upon the cover of a book.

8. Underworld Slang.

   1. a pistol or gun.

   2. a pickpocket.

9. Slang: Vulgar. penis.

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verb (used with object)

tools, present (3rd person singular) tooled, past participle, past tooling present participle

1. to work or shape with a tool.

2. to work decoratively with a hand tool.

3. to ornament (the cover of a book) with a bookbinder's tool.

4. to drive (a vehicle).

   He tooled the car along the treacherous path.

5. to equip with tools or machinery.

verb (used without object)

tools, present (3rd person singular) tooled, past participle, past tooling present participle

1. to work with a tool.

2. to drive or ride in a vehicle.

   tooling along the freeway.

verb phrase

1. tool up to install machinery designed for performing a particular job.

   manufacturers tooling up for production.

tool British  

/ tuːl /

noun

1. 1. an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand

   2. a power-driven instrument; machine tool

   3. ( in combination )

      a toolkit

2. the cutting part of such an instrument

3. 1. any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover

   2. a design so impressed

4. anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end

   he used his boss's absence as a tool for gaining influence

5. a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another

6. a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's profession

   numbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade

7. slang another word for penis

8. an underworld slang word for gun

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verb

1. to work, cut, shape, or form (something) with a tool or tools

2. (tr) to decorate (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool

3. to furnish with tools

4. to drive (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) to be driven, esp in a leisurely or casual style

Usage

What are other ways to say tool? The word tool usually refers to a handheld object, such as a hammer, saw, or file, that is used to perform or facilitate mechanical operations. When should you use this noun over instrument, implement, or utensil? Learn more on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• untooled
  adjective
• multitool
  noun
• tool-less
  adjective
• tooler
  noun
• toolless
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has tooled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have tooled
  perfect
• has been tooling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is tooling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been tooling
  perfect progressive
• am tooling
  progressive 1st person singular
• tools
  singular 3rd person
• are tooling
  progressive
• tooling
  participle

Past

• had tooled
  perfect
• were tooling
  progressive plural
• was tooling
  progressive singular
• tooled
  simple
• tooled
  participle
• had been tooling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will tool
  simple
• will have tooled
  perfect
• will be tooling
  progressive
• will have been tooling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of tool

First recorded before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English tōl; cognate with Old Norse tōl “tools”; akin to taw ²

Explanation

A tool is an instrument that you use to help you accomplish some task. If you are going to build a bookcase, you'll need the proper tools, like a saw, a drill, and a tape measure. A tool is also something that you use to perform the duties of a certain profession. The tools of a kindergarten teacher's trade include construction paper, glue sticks, and safety scissors. As a verb, tool can mean to drive aimlessly just for fun, the way you might tool around town in your convertible on a beautiful summer day.

Example Sentences

By observing tiny atomic movements and linking them to large electronic changes, the researchers were able to show how interface engineering can be used as a powerful tool for controlling metals.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

“This tool brings multiple sources of information together so people can better understand what may be affecting their health, make informed decisions, and support community planning that benefits everyone in the county.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

If industrial projects threaten the watershed, he argued, the county could use this tool to intervene.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Anger is an expression, but it’s also a tool.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

Akmon pulled a ratchet wrench from the tool belt and spun it like a noisemaker.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• apparatus
• appliance
• device
• engine
• gadget
• gizmo
• machine
• means
• mechanism
• utensil
• weapon