drill

drill¹ [drıl] n

↑cordless

1.)

a tool or machine used for making holes in something

▪ an electric drill

▪ a whine like a dentist's drill

→↑pneumatic drill

2.)

a method of teaching students, sports players etc something by making them repeat the same lesson, exercise etc many times

▪ a pronunciation drill

3.) fire/emergency drill

an occasion when people practise what they should do in a dangerous situation such as a fire

4.) [U]

military training in which soldiers practise marching, using weapons etc

▪ rifle drill

5.) the drill

BrE old-fashioned the usual way that something is done

▪ 'You know the drill?' 'Not really. Tell me again what to do.'

6.) [U]

a type of strong cotton cloth

7.)

a) a machine for planting seeds in rows

b) a row of seeds planted by a machine

drill ²

drill² v

[Date: 1500-1600; : Dutch; Origin: drillen]

1.) [I and T]

to make a hole in something using a drill

▪ Drill a hole in each corner.

drill into/through

▪ He accidentally drilled into a water pipe.

drill for oil/water/gas etc

▪ BP has been licensed to drill for oil in the area.

2.) [T]

to teach students, sports players etc by making them repeat the same lesson, exercise etc many times

drill sb in sth

▪ She was drilling the class in the forms of the past tense.

drill sb to do sth

▪ I acted instinctively because I had been trained and drilled to do just that.

▪ The team were well-drilled and organized.

3.) [T]

to train soldiers to march or perform other military actions

▪ The sergeant was drilling the new recruits.

4.) [T]

to plant seeds in rows using a machine

drill into [drill sth into sb] phr v

to keep telling someone something until they know it very well

▪ Mother had drilled it into me not to talk to strangers.