Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - tool

~1 n 1 something such as a hammer that you hold in your hand and use to do a particular job  (Rob didn't have the right tool to repair the engine.) 2 something such as a piece of equipment or skill that is useful for doing your job  (Television is an important tool for the modern teacher. | tools of the trade)  (The poet is a craftsman and words are the tools of his trade.) 3 someone who is used unfairly by someone else + of  (The king was merely a tool of the military government.) 4 taboo slang a penis (=the male sex organ)  (- see also down tools down4 (3)) ~2 v I + along/down ~ AmE informal to drive along a street, especially for fun tool up phr v T tool something up) to prepare a factory for production by providing the necessary tools and machinery  (tooled up to produce light weapons)