sound hole

noun

: an opening in the top surface of a stringed instrument (such as a violin) to enhance vibration and resonance see violin illustration

Examples of sound hole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The function is activated by tapping inside the circle below the sound hole. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2024 But the acoustic guitar of the kind that sits alongside Frisell on the couch—smallish body, light spruce top, round sound hole, dark-wood neck and sides—is a world-changing instrument in its own right. Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022 One of her eyes replaces the instrument’s sound hole — as if to suggest the possibility of a perception synthesized and expanded by love. Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022 Erlewine carefully rubs the gouges in the wood that run parallel to the strings between the bridge and the sound hole, a sign of the force with which Willie plays. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 20 Nov. 2021 The mottled area just above the sound hole shows the effects of fifty coats of lacquer applied over 35 years. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 20 Nov. 2021 The air bounces off the stiff wooden back and sides and bursts out of the sound hole: a musical note. New York Times, 28 Nov. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sound hole.' 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

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sound hole was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near sound hole

Cite this Entry

“Sound hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound%20hole. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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