peephole

American

[peep-hohl] / ˈpipˌhoʊl /

noun

a small hole or opening through which to peep or look, as in a door.

peephole British

/ ˈpiːpˌhəʊl /

noun

a small aperture, such as one in the door of a flat for observing callers before opening

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of peephole

First recorded in 1675–85; peep ¹ + hole

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He then heard a second, "very aggressive knock" but did not see anyone when he looked through the peephole.

From BBC • May 9, 2024

A few minutes later, Fortson heard a louder knock but didn’t see anyone when he looked through the peephole, Crump said, citing the woman’s account.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2024

Even something as simple as the view through the peephole in the apartment door sets up one of the film’s best sequences.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2023

"I was making breakfast when the doorbell rang. I looked through the peephole but didn't see anybody. I opened the door and there he was, lying on the mat," a visibly upset Lopez told reporters.

From Reuters • Oct. 20, 2022

It was awkward to use at a peephole, and his neck was beginning to ache.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023