Definition

1. Noun:
   • A drilled hole for a charge of an explosive: A cylindrical cavity made by drilling into a material (like rock, concrete, or wood) to place an explosive charge for blasting or demolition.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The miners carefully placed dynamite in each shot hole before the blast.
  • Inspectors checked the depth and spacing of the shot holes for safety.

Advanced Usage

• "To load a shot hole": The act of placing explosive material into the drilled cavity.
  • After drilling, the crew proceeded to load the shot hole with ammonium nitrate.

Variants and Related Words

• Blasthole (n): A synonym for shot hole, specifically in mining and quarrying contexts.
• Borehole (n): A general term for any narrow drilled hole, often for exploration or extraction, not necessarily for explosives.

Synonyms

• Blast hole: A hole drilled for the purpose of blasting.
• Charge hole: A hole prepared to receive an explosive charge.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "shot hole" is highly specific to fields involving controlled explosions, such as mining, construction, demolition, and quarrying. It refers precisely to the prepared hole and not to the explosion itself or its result. Do not confuse it with other meanings of "shot" or "hole."

Noun

1. drill hole for a charge of an explosive