peephole

noun

peep·​hole ˈpēp-ˌhōl How to pronounce peephole (audio)
: a hole or crevice to peep through

Examples of peephole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In real life, Höss would sometimes look through the peephole as his victims struggled for air. Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 The hotel has five types of accessible rooms, with features like wheelchair-accessible doors, lowered light switches, lowered peepholes, roll-in showers and grab bars, and shower seats. Liz Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2023 An inch above the peephole was a slot with the name Isidore Atlas. Cynthia Ozick, The New Yorker, 24 July 2023 In perhaps one of the most puzzling, yet significant, ‘90s sitcom decor choices of all time, Monica and Rachel’s apartment peephole was surrounded by a funky yellow frame. Alana Altmann, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2023 The agency also suggested improving security measures, such as by adding peepholes in bedroom doors, restricting access to master keys that can open multiple dorm rooms and giving field personnel more satellite phones. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023 Knock, wait for the sliding peephole to open and provide the secret password. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023 Sometimes, patrons would slap beer labels over the peephole. Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2023 Moiseyev wrote in his memoir that during his time in Lefortovo, an officer looked into the peephole every two or three minutes. Júlia Ledur, Washington Post, 1 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peephole.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peephole was circa 1570

Dictionary Entries Near peephole

Cite this Entry

“Peephole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peephole. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peephole

noun
peep·​hole ˈpēp-ˌhōl How to pronounce peephole (audio)
: a hole or crack to peep through

More from Merriam-Webster on peephole

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