noun / verb
drill
Repeated practice to learn a skill or procedure.
The coach leads the team through a passing drill before each game.
Etymology
The older verb concerns boring or turning. Repeated training adopted drill for its persistent, repetitive action, as practice works a procedure into reliable performance.
More examples
- We drill the evacuation procedure until everyone knows where to go.
- The teacher drills us on multiplication facts every morning.
- Daily finger drills help pianists develop speed and accuracy.
Forms
drill · drills · drilled · drilling
Similar words
- practice
- Broader than drill; need not involve a fixed, repeated exercise.
- rehearsal
- Usually prepares for a particular performance rather than building general skills.