oarlock

Plural: oarlocks

Noun

• A device on a boat's gunwale that holds an oar in place.
• a holder attached to the gunwale of a boat that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum for rowing
• A usually U-shaped device attached to the gunwale of a rowboat to hold the oars in place while rowing.

Examples

• He needed an OARLOCK to steady his game, a solid word to build upon.

Synonyms

peg, pin, rowlock, thole, tholepin