blowhole

Plural: blowholes

Noun

• A nostril on the top of a whale's head; an air vent.
• the spiracle of a cetacean located far back on the skull
• a hole for the escape of gas or air
• The spiracle, on the top of the head, through which cetaceans breathe.
• A hole in sea ice where cetaceans and pinnipeds come to breathe.
• A top-facing opening to a cavity in the ground very near an ocean's shore, leading to a marine cave from which wave water or bursts of air are expelled.
• A vent for the escape of steam or other gas.
• An unintended cavity filled with air in a casting product.
• A vertical opening in the top of a computer case that lets hot air (primarily from the CPU heat sink) escape quickly.

Verb

• To fill or be filled with air in an unintended cavity.

Examples

• He found a small blowhole in his opponent’s defense, allowing him to play "HOLE" for points.

Synonyms

vent, vent-hole, venthole