Definition

Noun: A cutting tool is a device or implement designed to remove material from a workpiece by means of shear deformation. It is a tool specifically engineered for cutting.

Usage

The term "cutting tool" is used to describe a physical object whose primary function is to cut. It is a technical and general term common in manufacturing, engineering, woodworking, and crafting contexts.

Examples

• A lathe uses a sharp cutting tool to shape metal.
• Safety glasses must be worn when operating any powered cutting tool.
• The most basic cutting tool is a simple knife.

Advanced Usage

• In machining, a cutting tool often refers specifically to a single-point or multi-point tool (like a drill bit or milling cutter) used on machine tools such as lathes and mills.
• The performance of a cutting tool depends on its material (e.g., high-speed steel, carbide), geometry, and coating.

Variants and Related Words

• Cutter (n): A more general term that can be synonymous with "cutting tool" or refer to a person or machine that cuts.
• Blade (n): The sharp-edged part of a cutting tool.
• Cutting implement (n): A formal phrase very similar in meaning to "cutting tool."

Synonyms

• Cutter
• Cutting implement

Antonyms

• Forming tool (a tool that shapes material without removing it, e.g., a mold)
• Joining tool (a tool that connects materials, e.g., a welder, a glue gun)

Related Phrases

• Machine tool: A powered machine (e.g., a lathe, mill) that uses a cutting tool to shape workpieces.
• Tool life: The usable lifespan of a cutting tool before it needs replacement or re-sharpening.
• Cutting edge: The sharp part of the tool that performs the cutting; also used metaphorically to mean the forefront of development.

Noun

1. a cutting implement; a tool for cutting