posthole

[ pohst-hohl ]

noun

1. a hole dug in the earth for setting in the end of a post, as for a fence.
2. Archaeology. an excavated hole showing by its shape and by the remains of wood or other debris that it was once filled by a post.

Word History and Origins

Origin of posthole¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; post ¹ + hole

Example Sentences

I spent a week with a pickaxe and shovel digging postholes.

From Literature

His grandfather could reach water with a posthole digger.

From Washington Post

Daniel and Lilian Tuimising now sleep in a cramped shack with their seven children after Daniel took a hammer and posthole digger to his house and shop, reducing it to rubble.

From Washington Post

In January 2019, archaeologists began to uncover a rectangular timber structure made up of 144 surviving timbers, with postholes around it, which could have been "scaffolds" or galleried seating.

From BBC

“It was like peeling away the skin of an onion,” said Carr, who found 11 circles and hundreds of carved postholes that represent the foundations of the Tequesta village and its linear walkways.

From Washington Times