pinhole

noun

pin·​hole ˈpin-ˌhōl 

: a small hole made by, for, or as if by a pin

Synonyms of pinhole

• puncture
• slit

Examples of pinhole in a Sentence

The water was leaking through a pinhole in the pipe.

pinholes in a bedsheet will look like stars if you shine a light from behind it

Recent Examples on the Web

Turn the volume up and that pinhole dilates, revealing swirling galaxies of vocal harmonies, upright bass plucks, and cascading piano runs. — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

There’s still a big glossy black navigation pad near the top with a pinhole microphone and power and Alexa buttons above it. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Photos and posters had pinholes in the corners, and almost none of it matched my current taste. — Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 11 Sep. 2026

Options include properly filtered solar eclipse glasses, a safe handheld solar viewer and a pinhole projector (learn how to make one on NASA's website). — Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pinhole

noun

pin·​hole -ˌhōl 

: a very small hole made by or as if by a pin