tooling

[ too-ling ]

/ ˈtu lɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tooling ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

work done with a tool or tools; tooled ornamentation, as on wood, stone, or leather.

Machinery.

a number of tools, as in a particular factory.
the planning and arrangement of tools for a particular manufacturing process.

Nearby words

tooled up, toolhead, toolholder, toolhouse, toolie, tooling, toolkit, toolmaker, toolroom, toolset, toolshed

Origin of tooling

First recorded in 1665–75; tool + -ing¹

Definition for tooling (2 of 2)

tool

[ tool ]

/ tul /

noun

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

any instrument of manual operation.

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

the machine itself; a machine tool.

anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose: Education is a tool for success.

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

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

Underworld Slang.

a pistol or gun.
a pickpocket.

Slang: Vulgar. penis.

verb (used with object)

to work or shape with a tool.

to work decoratively with a hand tool.

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

to drive (a vehicle): He tooled the car along the treacherous path.

to equip with tools or machinery.

verb (used without object)

to work with a tool.

to drive or ride in a vehicle: tooling along the freeway.

Verb Phrases

tool up, to install machinery designed for performing a particular job: manufacturers tooling up for production.

Origin of tool

before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English tōl; cognate with Old Norse tōl tools; akin to taw²

SYNONYMS FOR tool

1 T ool , implement , instrument , utensil refer to contrivances for doing work. A tool is a contrivance held in and worked by the hand, for assisting the work of (especially) mechanics or laborers: a carpenter's tools. An implement is any tool or contrivance designed or used for a particular purpose: agricultural implements. An instrument is anything used in doing a certain work or producing a certain result, especially such as requires delicacy, accuracy, or precision: surgical or musical instruments. A utensil is especially an article for domestic use: kitchen utensils. When used figuratively of human agency, tool is generally used in a contemptuous sense; instrument , in a neutral or good sense: a tool of unscrupulous men; an instrument of Providence.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tool ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

tool·er, nountool·less, adjectivemul·ti·tool, nounun·tooled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tooling

He keeps the papal Mercedes parked in the Vatican garage and insists on tooling around Rome in well-worn 1984 Renault.
Pope Francis Is Time’s Man of The Year|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bear in mind that Russian calf is used for tooling and stamping, and ooze cow or calf for perforated designs.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
When all free gold is rubbed off, the finisher can see where the tooling is imperfect.
Bookbinding, and the Care of Books|Douglas Cockerell
There is a great variation in the costs given for tooling concrete.
Concrete Construction|Halbert P. Gillette

If many books are sent to the same binder, however, suggestions on finish and tooling may very well be made.
Book Repair and Restoration|Mitchell Buck
It may be compared to the tooling of a book-cover, both in the method of producing it, and in its effect.
Writing & Illuminating, & Lettering|Edward Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for tooling (1 of 2)

tooling

/ (ˈtuːlɪŋ) /

noun

any decorative work done with a tool, esp a design stamped onto a book cover, piece of leatherwork, etc

the selection, provision, and setting up of tools, esp for a machining operation

British Dictionary definitions for tooling (2 of 2)

tool

/ (tuːl) /

noun

an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
a power-driven instrument; machine tool
(in combination)a toolkit

the cutting part of such an instrument

any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover
a design so impressed

anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an endhe used his boss's absence as a tool for gaining influence

a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another

a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's professionnumbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade

slang another word for penis

British an underworld slang word for gun

verb

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

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

(tr often foll by up) to furnish with tools

(when intr, often foll by along) to drive (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) to be driven, esp in a leisurely or casual style

Derived Forms

tooler, nountool-less, adjective

Word Origin for tool

Old English tōl; related to Old Norse tōl weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012