blowhole

American  

[bloh-hohl] / ˈbloʊˌhoʊl /

noun

1. an air or gas vent, especially one to carry off fumes from a tunnel, underground passage, etc.

2. 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.

3. a hole in the ice to which whales or seals come to breathe.

4. Metallurgy. a defect in a casting or ingot caused by the escape of gas.

5. Geology. a hole in a sea cliff or coastal terrace through which columns of spray are jetted upward.

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blowhole British  

/ ˈbləʊˌhəʊl /

noun

1. the nostril, paired or single, of whales, situated far back on the skull

2. a hole in ice through which whales, seals, etc, breathe

3. 1. a vent for air or gas, esp to release fumes from a tunnel, passage, etc

   2. a hole emitting gas or steam in a volcanic region

4. a bubble-like defect in an ingot resulting from gas being trapped during solidification

5. geology a hole in a cliff top leading to a sea cave through which air is forced by the action of the sea

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Etymology

Origin of blowhole

First recorded in 1685–95; blow ² + hole

Example Sentences

The animals will be trained to voluntarily give blood, saliva, blowhole air and other samples in exchange for rewards.

From Seattle Times

In the videos, remoras tended to cluster around the whale’s blowhole and dorsal fin.

From New York Times

While they likely breathed through their noses rather than blowholes, these Jurassic animals eventually evolved to have smooth skin and body shapes reminiscent of whales and dolphins today.

From New York Times

The cover illustration was a cartoon sperm whale blasting a cloud of bottles and utensils from its blowhole.

From Los Angeles Times

Photographs of the injured calf revealed grievous cuts to its mouth and the top of the head near its blowhole, likely made by a boat propeller.

From Seattle Times