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.

If you’re home alone or with family members and you hear a knock at the door, check the window, security camera or peephole so you can identify whether ICE agents are outside.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2025

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

"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 more than an hour later that he remembered the children and returned to the peephole in the dirty window.

From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

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