drill

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   learn by repetition

   We drilled French verbs every day

2. 2
   verb

   make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool

   don't drill here, there's a gas pipe

3. 3
   verb

   To create (a hole) by removing material with a drill (tool).

   Drill a small hole to start the screw in the right direction.

4. 4
   verb

   To practice, especially in (or as in) a military context.

   They drilled daily to learn the routine exactly.

5. 5
   verb

   To cause to drill (practice); to train, especially in military arts.

   The sergeant was up by 6:00 every morning, drilling his troops.

6. 6
   verb

   To repeat an idea frequently in order to encourage someone to remember it.

   The instructor drilled into us the importance of reading the instructions.

7. 7
   verb

   To investigate or examine something in more detail or at a different level

   Drill deeper and you may find the underlying assumptions faulty.

8. 8
   verb

   To throw, run, hit or kick with a lot of power.

   He drilled down the court and made a three-pointer.

Etymology

From Middle English drillen (“to delay, defer, put off”), of origin unknown.