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tool

tool

628 1.1
A thing you hold to do a job, like a hammer
  • noun
  • /tuːl/
: herramienta
  • The carpenter used a hammer as his primary tool for building furniture.

This is a Rotary tool that goes very low.

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Examples

  • The CCSS also calls for students to use digital tools to interact and collaborate with others.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The goal was to create an easy-to-use data analysis tool for resource managers and administrative personnel.

    Academic text (2015)
  • These are all the tools that go with this.

  • We will have some tools to do that soon enough.

  • The fit with the tool is really good.

  • All students are potential leaders, and service is a powerful tool for developing students' leadership skills.

    Academic text (2012)
  • How do you use these tools in those moments?

  • During recent years, the technology and tools available to the modern teacher have grown considerably.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Although cell phones are an excellent communication tool, they can also be a nuisance.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The Swiss army knife has many different tools, each of which solves a different problem.

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

device
vstool
∞ 2.1

A machine or tool made to do a particular job

is the more specific trade term especially for hand-held objects
instrument
vstool
175 3.6

A tool used by a skilled person for work like surgery or science

is the broader everyday term that covers such items
wrench
vstool
  • US
86 2.5

A hand tool with a shaped opening that grips and turns nuts and bolts

is the broad term for such hand tools across professions
utensil
vstool
38 1.3

A tool used for cooking or eating

is focused on trade and professional use rather than household tasks
pliers
vstool
33 2.3

A small tool with two long metal arms joined at one end used to hold, bend, or cut things

is the broad name for such hand-operated objects in trades
pitchfork
vstool
32 1.7

A long-handled farm tool with wide sharp prongs used to lift and toss hay

is the general term for handheld objects used in trades, not only agriculture
vise
vstool
  • US
25 6.5

A tool attached to a workbench that holds something tightly while you work on it

is the general handheld term, unlike bench-attached holding equipment
power tool
vstool
24 2.7

A tool that uses electricity, a battery, or a small engine to work

is the general term mainly for manually operated objects rather than powered ones
implement
vstool
23 4.1

A tool used for a specific job, like in a kitchen or on a farm

is the general word covering many such objects in trades
tongs
vstool
15 1.0

A tool with two arms that you use to pick up hot or small things

is the general term covering such gripping objects in work
hand tool
vstool
6 1.8

A thing you hold and use with your hands, not powered by a machine, like a hammer or screwdriver

is the general name for such objects used in trades
jig
vstool
  • Specialized
6 7.8

A device that holds a piece being made and guides a tool

is the general name for hand-used items, not only guide fixtures
tong
vstool
5 2.4

A tool with two arms joined at one end for gripping things

is the general name, not the specific single form
machine tool
vstool
  • Specialized
5 3.9

A powered machine that cuts and shapes metal or other materials

is the general word for manually used items, not power-driven machines
4 1.4

A tool like a spoon or knife that people use in the kitchen to prepare food

is the general term applying beyond kitchen chores to trade work
surgical instrument
vstool
  • Specialized
4 3.8

A tool a surgeon uses during an operation to cut, hold, or move body tissue

is the general trade term not specific to medicine
monkey wrench
vstool
  • US
3 3.0

A tool with one fixed and one movable jaw that grips and turns bolts

is the general name, not this particular adjustable kind
chuck
vstool
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A part in machines like drills and lathes that holds a bit or material being worked on

is the broad term, not this machine-mounted holding piece
drafting instrument
vstool
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A tool that helps make exact drawings like plans or blueprints

is the general term, not limited to technical drawing tasks
hand wedge
vstool
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A small tool you put under something to hold it steady for a short time

is the general term, not only for small temporary supports
brace
vstool
  • Archaic
1 7.2

A hand tool with a crank for drilling holes in wood

is the general name while this one is a specific boring gadget
hand vise
vstool
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A small tool you hold to grip tiny things while you work

is the general name that covers this small holding object
machinist's vise
vstool
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A heavy tool with two flat metal jaws that holds metal parts while you work

is the general term for handheld objects, not heavy machine fixtures
organum
vstool
  • Archaic
9.9

A tool used to do a particular job, often mentioned in old texts

is the modern, widely used term rather than the archaic form

Idioms

1 8.8

A person who is not very quick to understand

Compounds

24 2.7

A tool that uses electricity, a battery, or a small engine to work

12 3.5

Equipment or skills needed to do a person's job

10 1.8

A box or case with tools for fixing things

6 1.8

A thing you hold and use with your hands, not powered by a machine, like a hammer or screwdriver

machine tool
  • Specialized
5 3.9

A powered machine that cuts and shapes metal or other materials

4 1.0

A tool used to work in a garden, like a spade or rake

3 2.9

A box for keeping hand tools like hammers and screwdrivers

2 3.1

A tool like a knife or scissors that cuts materials

2 1.6

A strong bag for carrying tools with pockets to keep them organized

tire tool
  • Specialized
1 6.4

A metal lever that removes or fits a tire on a wheel rim

1 5.8

A tool that cuts, presses or grinds metal to make it the right form

A machine that runs on a battery and does not need a power cord

1 2.3

A cabinet or box that stores hand tools like screwdrivers and wrenches

entrenching tool
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A small folding spade soldiers carry to dig trenches or shelters

1 1.7

A tool for keeping a lawn tidy, like a mower or rake

tool steel
  • Specialized
1 5.5

Hard strong steel used to make blades and parts that stay sharp

edge tool
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A tool with a sharp edge used to cut and shape wood and other materials

A program in the Microsoft Office set used for tasks like writing, creating spreadsheets and making presentations

1 2.0

A box for keeping hand tools like screwdrivers or wrenches

tool-and-die work
  • Specialized
1 8.1

Work of designing, making, and fixing metal tools and forms used to make parts

A small tool used to clean and make hair or skin look nice

burnishing tool
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A small hand tool with a smooth stone tip used to rub gold leaf to make it very shiny

graving tool
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A thing used to cut designs into metal, wood, or stone

rape tool
  • Offensive
1 9.9

An object that helps someone commit sexual assault

nut tool
  • Jargon
1 9.5

A small metal hook climbers use to pull stuck climbing nuts from rock cracks

PIM tool
  • Specialized
4.8

An app that helps you organize contacts, calendars, and tasks across devices

PIM tool
  • Specialized
6.0

Software that stores, manages, and shares product details like descriptions, images, and prices for online shops

How Specialized

instrument
175 3.6
gadget
158 2.9
tool
628 1.1
utensil
38 1.3

Surface Forms

tool singular
tools plural

Etymology

The word tool comes from an old English word tōl meaning 'instrument' or 'thing for work'. So a tool is still an object you hold to do a particular job, like a hammer.