tooling

UK: /ˈtuːlɪŋ/ US: (to̅o̅′ling)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tool•ing  (to̅o̅′ling), n. 

1. work done with a tool or tools;
   tooled ornamentation, as on wood, stone, or leather.
2. [Mach.]
   • a number of tools, as in a particular factory.
   • the planning and arrangement of tools for a particular manufacturing process.

• tool + -ing¹ 1665–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tooling / ˈtuːlɪŋ/ noun

1. any decorative work done with a tool, esp a design stamped onto a book cover, piece of leatherwork, etc
2. the selection, provision, and setting up of tools, esp for a machining operation

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tool /tul/   n. [countable]

1. an implement, esp. one held in the hand, as a hammer, for performing a mechanical operation:
   The carpenter laid out his tools and began to work.
2. an instrument for some purpose or work:
   the tools of the writer's trade.
3. anything used to accomplish a task:
   Education is a tool for success.
4. a person used by someone else:
   a tool of the Communist party.

v. 

5. [~ + object] to work or shape with a tool.
6. to drive or ride in a vehicle:
   [no object] tooling along the freeway.
7. Mechanical Engineering tool up, [no object] to install the machinery for a job:
   The manufacturers began tooling up for production.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tool (to̅o̅l),  n. 

1. an implement, esp. one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.
2. any instrument of manual operation.
3. the cutting or machining part of a lathe, planer, drill, or similar machine.
4. the machine itself;
   a machine tool.
5. anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose:
   Education is a tool for success.
6. a person manipulated by another for the latter's own ends;
   cat's-paw.
7. the design or ornament impressed upon the cover of a book.
8. [Underworld Slang.]
   • a pistol or gun.
   • a pickpocket.
9. [Slang] ([vulgar] ). penis.

v.t. 

10. to work or shape with a tool.
11. to work decoratively with a hand tool.
12. to ornament (the cover of a book) with a bookbinder's tool.
13. to drive (a vehicle):
    He tooled the car along the treacherous path.
14. to equip with tools or machinery.

v.i. 

15. to work with a tool.
16. to drive or ride in a vehicle:
    tooling along the freeway.
17. tool up, to install machinery designed for performing a particular job:
    manufacturers tooling up for production.

• bef. 900; Middle English (noun, nominal); Old English tōl; cognate with Old Norse tōl tools; akin to taw²

tool ′er, n. 
tool ′less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. Tool, implement, instrument, utensil refer to contrivances for doing work. A tool is a contrivance held in and worked by the hand, for assisting the work of (especially) mechanics or laborers:
  a carpenter's tools.
  An implement is any tool or contrivance designed or used for a particular purpose:
  agricultural implements.
  An instrument is anything used in doing a certain work or producing a certain result, especially such as requires delicacy, accuracy, or precision:
  surgical or musical instruments.
  A utensil is especially an article for domestic use:
  kitchen utensils.
  When used figuratively of human agency,
  tool is generally used in a contemptuous sense; instrument, in a neutral or good sense:
  a tool of unscrupulous men; an instrument of Providence.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tool / tuːl/ noun

1. an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
2. a power-driven instrument; machine tool
3. (in combination): a toolkit
4. the cutting part of such an instrument
5. any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover
6. anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end: he used his boss's absence as a tool for gaining influence
7. a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another
8. a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's profession: numbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade
9. 
   another word for penis
10. a stupid, irritating, or contemptible man
11. 
    an underworld slang word for gun

verb

1. to work, cut, shape, or form (something) with a tool or tools
2. (transitive) to decorate (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool
3. (transitive) often followed by up: to furnish with tools

Etymology: Old English tōl; related to Old Norse tōl weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw²

ˈtooler noun