hollow out

verb

hollowed out; hollowing out; hollows out

1

: to remove the inside of (something) : to make an empty space in (something)

The kids were hollowing out pumpkins.

a hollowed-out log

2

: to form (something) by digging or cutting the inside of something

Workers hollowed out a tunnel through the mountain.

Examples of hollow out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Designers are hollowing out bench seats and cabinet bases, then adding pass-through wall openings and exhaust fans so the box disappears from view while the cat keeps full access. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

Procurement delays, fragmented national programs, labor shortages, and strained supply chains are raising doubts over how quickly Europe can rebuild an industrial base that has been hollowed out from decades of lower defense spending. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 1 July 2026

This implies value accrues to companies owning the data, challenging the notion that AI agents will hollow out enterprise software. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Carefully hollow out the insides of rolls. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026

Rhymes for hollow out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout