Drill (Verb)
Meaning 1
Learn by repetition; "We drilled French verbs every day"; "Pianists practice scales".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- We drilled math problems until I could solve them in my sleep.
- She practiced piano every morning, drilling the same arpeggio pattern until her fingers ached.
- During boot camp, we drilled marching commands until they became second nature.
- The language teacher had students drill verb conjugations for hours to ensure they understood the grammar.
- The coach had the team drill plays on the football field until they executed them flawlessly.
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Meaning 2
Undergo military training or do military exercises.
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- New recruits began to drill on the parade ground, learning to march in sync with one another.
- The soldiers will drill all day to prepare for their upcoming combat mission.
- Cadets were required to drill every morning, practicing their salute and stance.
- The army unit was tasked with drilling a mock invasion of the coastline.
- Every weekend, the reservists would drill in the countryside to practice their combat skills.
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Meaning 3
Train in the military, e.g., in the use of weapons.
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The recruits were made to drill with their rifles every morning to build muscle memory.
- The sergeant major put the platoon on a tight schedule to drill and perfect the movements before the parade.
- It took weeks for the team to properly drill and get the hang of firing the new firearm.
- In an attempt to build cohesion, the officers ordered the squad to drill together under simulated combat conditions.
- Throughout boot camp, the newest soldiers drill tirelessly with various ground attack maneuvers.
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
Make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool; "don't drill here, there's a gas pipe"; "drill a hole into the wall"; "drill for oil"; "carpenter bees are boring holes into the wall".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Drill a hole into the wall for the new light switch, but be careful not to hit any wires.
- The engineer ordered the team to stop drilling and leave the site immediately due to the discovery of a major fault line.
- Be cautious when you drill through the glass tile to avoid shattering it.
- As part of the new construction project, workers will drill for groundwater and install a well.
- The local handyman advised her to drill pilot holes before hanging the shelves to avoid splitting the wood.
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Meaning 5
Teach by repetition.
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The coach will drill the new team members on the basic plays until they can execute them flawlessly.
- To become proficient in Spanish, you need to drill verb conjugations every day.
- The teacher will drill multiplication tables into the students during the math lesson today.
- She spent hours every day drilling piano scales, determined to master the piece for the audition.
- Her instructor will drill firearms safety procedures into the students before allowing them to practice shooting.