finger hole

noun

1
: any of several holes in the side of a wind instrument (such as a recorder) which may be covered or left open by the fingers to change the pitch of the tone
2
: a hole (as in a telephone dial or a bowling ball) into which the finger is placed to provide a grip

Examples of finger hole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The vessel was a crude metal sphere pocked with tiny quartz windows, akin to finger holes in a bowling ball. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 20 June 2023 Another key difference: unlike metal flutes played in marching bands or orchestras, these flutes are made of wood and have fewer finger holes. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2023 Plus, its patent-pending design features an ergonomic finger hole for safe igniting. Popular Science, 15 Dec. 2020 Resembling a plastic wrench with a finger hole in one end, the device is designed for grabbing door handles, pushing buttons and twisting faucets without having to use your hands. Peter Krouse, cleveland, 13 Apr. 2020 The only other important factor is the finger holes: Your fingers should feel snug in them, but not so snug that your thumb pops out on release instead of smoothly exiting the ball. Maude Campbell, Popular Mechanics, 27 Nov. 2018 Carved with five finger holes and a tapered mouthpiece, the instrument dates from around the dawn of human settlement on the continent. Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, 15 June 2018 First, every sticker has been updated to combine giant, multi-finger holes and a firm-yet-responsive adhesive. Sam MacHkovech, Ars Technica, 25 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'finger hole.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of finger hole was in 1785

Dictionary Entries Near finger hole

Cite this Entry

“Finger hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finger%20hole. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

finger hole

noun
: a hole in the tube of a wind instrument that may be covered with the finger or left open to change the tone
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