tool noun
1 instrument for making/repairing things
ADJ. general-purpose, multi-purpose | basic, primitive, standard, traditional craftsmen using traditional tools | sophisticated, special | sharp | rusting/rusty | cutting, drawing, measuring | cordless, hand, machine, power | agricultural, engineering, farm, garden/gardening, industrial, woodworking
QUANT. set
VERB + TOOL use | sharpen | blunt Cutting concrete would blunt a metal-cutting tool. | down ~s Workers downed tools (= stopped work) in protest at poor safety standards in the works.
TOOL + NOUN kit
PHRASES the tool/tools of the trade The guitarist opened the case and took out the tool of his trade.
2 sth that helps you do/achieve sth
ADJ. effective, essential, important, indispensable, invaluable, major, necessary, powerful, useful, valuable, vital | educational, learning, reference, research This dictionary is an invaluable reference tool for advanced learners. | ideological, negotiating, political, propaganda We must ensure that education is not used as a political tool. | communication, management, marketing | analysis/analytical, design, desktop, development, drawing, multimedia, presentation, programming, software
You can also check other dicts: tool (English, 中文解释 ), wordnet sense, Collins Definition