thole

1 9.9

A peg on the side of a boat that holds an oar and lets it turn when rowing

noun
/θoʊl/

: thole

Kelly Shoppach is better, and a better fit as a complement to Josh Thole.
thole pin

Examples

I always say, "Sure, it was a sh*thole, but it was our sh*thole."

Blog text (26)
I always say, "Sure, it was a sh*thole, but it was our sh*thole."

Blog text (26)
Along the top of each gunwale were tholes for six long oars.

Fiction book (1990)
So far, they have been shut out in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America for Rookie of the Year (maybe in 2011, Josh Thole), Manager of the Year (keep trying, Jerry), and Cy Young Award (uhh...).

Blog text (16)
The rowers placed their oars in the tholes to keep them steady while paddling.
Each thole on the boat held the oars securely, allowing for smoother rowing.
The captain inspected the tholes to ensure the oars would pivot correctly during the race.

Synonyms

vsthole

153 1.0

A small metal or plastic object used to attach things to cloth

is the specific boat-side holder used to secure and pivot an oar

oarlock

vsthole

1 7.0

A part on the side of a boat that holds an oar so it can move when you row

is a simpler small holder rather than a general device

peg

vsthole

1 8.2

A holder on a boat that keeps an oar in place while rowing

is a specific term for that same holder rather than the general word

tholepin

vsthole

9.9

A pin in the side of a boat that holds an oar while you row

is the same item but named with the shorter traditional form

rowlock

vsthole

Specialized

8.8

A small holder fixed to a boat side that keeps an oar in place while you row

is a simpler small holder rather than a general device

Surface Forms

thole singular

tholes plural

Etymology

The word thole names the wooden pin on the side of a boat that keeps an oar in place and acts as a pivot. A helpful way to remember thole is to think of it like the word 'hold' — it 'holds' the oar so you can row.