blowhole

[ bloh-hohl ]
/ ˈbloʊˌhoʊl /

noun

an air or gas vent, especially one to carry off fumes from a tunnel, underground passage, etc.
either of two nostrils or spiracles, or a single one, at the top of the head in whales and other cetaceans, through which they breathe.
a hole in the ice to which whales or seals come to breathe.
Metallurgy. a defect in a casting or ingot caused by the escape of gas.
Geology. a hole in a sea cliff or coastal terrace through which columns of spray are jetted upward.

Origin of blowhole

First recorded in 1685–95; blow2 + hole

Words nearby blowhole

Example sentences from the Web for blowhole

British Dictionary definitions for blowhole

blowhole
/ (ˈbləʊˌhəʊl) /

noun

the nostril, paired or single, of whales, situated far back on the skull
a hole in ice through which whales, seals, etc, breathe
  1. a vent for air or gas, esp to release fumes from a tunnel, passage, etc
  2. NZ a hole emitting gas or steam in a volcanic region
a bubble-like defect in an ingot resulting from gas being trapped during solidification
geology a hole in a cliff top leading to a sea cave through which air is forced by the action of the sea