Dictionary

A mechanical device intended to make a task easier.

Example: Hand me that tool, would you?   I don't have the right tools to start fiddling around with the engine.

Equipment used in a profession, e.g., tools of the trade.

Example: These are the tools of the trade.

Something to perform an operation; an instrument; a means.

A piece of software used to develop software or hardware, or to perform low-level operations.

Example: The software engineer had been developing lots of EDA tools.   a tool for recovering deleted files from a disk

To work on or shape with tools, e.g., hand-tooled leather.

To equip with tools.

To work very hard.

To put down another person (possibly in a subtle, hidden way), and in that way to use him or her to meet a goal.

Example: Dude, he's not your friend. He's just tooling you.