1. Plural of coalhole; openings or compartments in the ground or basement of a building through which coal is delivered for storage and heating.
Usage: chiefly British; historical; less common in modern usage due to shift away from coal heating

Examples

• The old townhouse had several coalholes along the street for easy delivery of fuel.
• Victorian buildings in London often featured decorative iron grates covering the coalholes.
• The basement coalholes were sealed up when the building switched to central heating.
• Pedestrians had to watch out for the coalholes in the pavement.
• The coalman would pour fuel directly into the coalholes during winter deliveries.