finger hole

noun

1. one of a set of holes for the finger on the rotating dial of a telephone.
2. one of two holes or more on a bowling ball for holding the ball.
3. one of a series of holes on a wind instrument for changing the pitch by being opened or closed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of finger hole¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

One side was wrapped with yarn to make the finger hole smaller, so it wouldn’t slip off.

From Literature

The vessel was a crude metal sphere pocked with tiny quartz windows, akin to finger holes in a bowling ball.

From Scientific American

Another was a curved blade with finger holes.

From BBC

His Nasal Ranger, more intuitive than the acrylic boxes with finger holes, requires little more than taking a big sniff and adjusting a dial until you no longer smell it.

From New York Times

The final product, the Stem Player, which Kano made in partnership with Ye, doesn’t have finger holes.

From The Verge