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

He explains that the ideal position for the tag was directly behind the blowhole and oriented toward the head so it could capture feeding activity during deep dives.

From Science Daily • Nov. 17, 2025

In the wheelhouse of a crab boat named Heidi Sue, Mike Pettis watched the gray whale surface and shoot water through its blowhole.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

To ensure a strong signal from the transmitter, he had to place the tag as high on the animal's back as possible but not too close to the sensitive skin surrounding the blowhole.

From Scientific American • Mar. 14, 2023

Each dolphin was fitted with a temporary sound-and-movement tag which sits behind their blowhole and measures their behaviour and sounds.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2023

Razi gulped in a mouthful of air while Maalu sprayed a fountain of water through her blowhole.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook