1. Holes in the bow of a ship through which anchor cables pass.
Usage: nautical; plural form of hawsehole

Examples

• The ship's hawseholes were reinforced to withstand the strain of heavy anchors.
• Seawater sprayed through the hawseholes as the vessel pitched in the storm.
• The crew inspected the hawseholes for corrosion and damage.
• Modern ships have larger hawseholes to accommodate thicker anchor chains.
• The hawseholes must be properly sealed to prevent water from entering the hull.