- tool
- ▪ I. tool tool 1 [tuːl] noun [countable]1. an object, piece of equipment, or device used for making things:
• Something like sixty tools may be used to machine a workpiece.
• a tool manufacturer
maˈchine toolMANUFACTURING a powerful tool used for cutting and shaping metal, for example for making parts for cars, engines, machinery etc:• There's been a slump in demand for machine tools and other capital goods.
2. a skill or method of doing a particular task:• Praise is a hugely powerful management tool.
• Using a preferred currency can be a strong marketing tool when negotiating a contract.
• Reports and accounts are a useful publicity tool.
3. COMPUTING a piece of software designed to do a particular task:• a new online tool to help digital photographers
[m0] ▪ II. tool tool 2 verbto prepare a place such as a factory for production by providing the necessary tools and machinery:• U.S. shipyards, having had three years for preparation, were able to tool up for mass production of destroyers.
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tool UK US /tuːl/ noun [C]► a small piece of equipment that you use with your hands to make or repair something: »They sell agricultural machinery and tools.
»You can assemble our furniture using hand tools or very basic power tools.
► something that helps you in a particular activity: »An educated sales force is one of the most effective tools any company can have.
»Our online presence gives us a powerful new tool to maintain market position.
»a business/marketing/research tool
»a strategic/managerial/statistical tool
► IT a program or feature of a program that helps you do particular things on a computer: »The spreadsheet program offers several useful tools for manipulating the material.
»Companies in the industry tend to use identical, or at least compatible, software tools.
Financial and business terms. 2012.