1
a
: an opening through something : perforation
The coat has a hole in it.
a bullet hole
b
: an area where something is missing
His mother's death left a hole in his life.
: gap: such as
(2)
: an opening in a defensive formation
a running back's ability to find holes in the defensive line
especially
: the area of a baseball field between the positions of shortstop and third baseman
(3)
: a defect in a crystal (as of a semiconductor) that is due to an electron's having left its normal position in one of the crystal bonds and that is equivalent in many respects to a positively charged particle
2
: a hollowed-out place
a hole in an apple
: such as
a
: a cave, pit, or well in the ground
dug a large hole with a steam shovel
b
: burrow
a rabbit hole
c
: an unusually deep place in a body of water (such as a river)
3
a
: a wretched or dreary place
How could anyone live in such a hole?
b
: a prison cell especially for solitary confinement
threw him in the hole for two days
4
a
golf
: a shallow cylindrical hole or hollowed-out place in the putting green of a golf course into which the ball is played
b
: a part of the golf course from tee (see tee entry 2 sense 2) to putting green
just beginning play on the third hole
also
: the play on such a hole as a unit of scoring
won the hole by two strokes
5
a
: an awkward position or circumstance : fix
got the rebels out of a hole at the battle—
Kenneth Roberts
Kenneth Roberts
b
: a position of owing or losing money
$10 million in the hole
raising money to get out of the hole
holed; holing
1
: to make an opening through or a hollowed-out place in (as by cutting, digging, boring, or shooting at) : to make a hole (see hole entry 1) in
The ship was holed along the waterline by enemy fire.
2
: to drive or hit into a hole
hole a putt
The dogs holed the fox.
: to make an opening through or a hollowed-out place in something : to make a hole in something
Synonyms
Examples of hole in a Sentence
Noun
I have a hole in my sock.
He fixed the hole in the roof.
a mouse hole in the wall
The dog dug a deep hole.
Her putt rolled right into the hole.
She made a birdie on the seventh hole.
The course has 18 holes.
Verb
She holed a long putt for a birdie.
holed the target with a round of shots
Recent Examples on the Web
Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
That will open up a huge hole for one player in particular: Allyce Jones.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024
The Berkley alum has holed over 640 birdies since the challenge debuted, generating over $112,000 worth of memberships, which average around $35 apiece, as pricing varies by American Golf Association region.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hole 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Phoenix Open concerts 2025: This power couple will play the 16th hole Coliseum
The plan, intended to prevent more traffic congestion and safeguard existing infrastructure, was developed by city, state and business leaders who make up the MAG's Regional Transportation Policy Committee.
—Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
That will open up a huge hole for one player in particular: Allyce Jones.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Watch:Milton rips hole the size of a basketball court in Melbourne Orlando Airport's roof
Watch: Florida man jogs as Hurricane Milton hits Florida
Unplanned events can occur during a journalist's live shot, especially during a major weather event.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024
The Berkley alum has holed over 640 birdies since the challenge debuted, generating over $112,000 worth of memberships, which average around $35 apiece, as pricing varies by American Golf Association region.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hole
Dictionary Entries Near hole
Cite this Entry
“Hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hole. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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