Illustration of awl
awl
noun
ˈȯl 
: a pointed tool for marking surfaces or piercing small holes (as in leather or wood)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Using an awl or electric drill with a small bit, drill main points along the constellations. 
Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 15 July 2022 Punch through the pattern's cross-stitch points with an awl. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 15 July 2022 Step 3: Lay your template onto the pumpkin and poke small holes using the toothpick or awl to indicate where the holes need to be according to the template. Yaa Bofah, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2021 Mark the center of the diagonals with an awl and bore a pilot hole on the mark using a 9⁄64-inch twist drill bit. James Schadewald, Popular Mechanics, 3 July 2021 This comes with a free, see-through ruler and an awl tool to measure and mark your hole perfectly. Chris Hachey, BGR, 9 June 2021 Centered on the block's width, use the awl to mark both hole positions, 2 in. James Schadewald, Popular Mechanics, 3 July 2021 In one grave, researchers found the body a woman buried alongside a metal awl, obsidian beads and a belt adorned with 1,668 ostrich eggshell beads. Isis Davis-marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2021 This also comes with three punch plates, an awl, a ruler, and an eBook with tips and tricks. Chris Hachey, BGR, 9 June 2021 See More
Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 15 July 2022 Punch through the pattern's cross-stitch points with an awl. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 15 July 2022 Step 3: Lay your template onto the pumpkin and poke small holes using the toothpick or awl to indicate where the holes need to be according to the template. Yaa Bofah, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2021 Mark the center of the diagonals with an awl and bore a pilot hole on the mark using a 9⁄64-inch twist drill bit. James Schadewald, Popular Mechanics, 3 July 2021 This comes with a free, see-through ruler and an awl tool to measure and mark your hole perfectly. Chris Hachey, BGR, 9 June 2021 Centered on the block's width, use the awl to mark both hole positions, 2 in. James Schadewald, Popular Mechanics, 3 July 2021 In one grave, researchers found the body a woman buried alongside a metal awl, obsidian beads and a belt adorned with 1,668 ostrich eggshell beads. Isis Davis-marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2021 This also comes with three punch plates, an awl, a ruler, and an eBook with tips and tricks. Chris Hachey, BGR, 9 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English al, from Old English æl; akin to Old High German āla awl, Sanskrit ārā
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
awl
noun
ˈȯl
: a pointed tool for making small holes (as in leather or wood)