hollow out
verb
hollowed out; hollowing out; hollows out
1
: to remove the inside of (something) : to make an empty space in (something)
The kids were hollowing out pumpkins.
a hollowed-out log
2
: to form (something) by digging or cutting the inside of something
Workers hollowed out a tunnel through the mountain.
Examples of hollow out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The technology could hollow out entire industries like software engineering, which had been investors’ golden child.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Although much of Hollywood is bracing for AI to hollow out jobs, Erwin argues that AI can return at least some production jobs that have been outsourced.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
This rock hollowed out by erosion and walled up with stones was likely used by shepherds as a shelter near the historic Sardinian village of Tempio Pausania.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
STRs have hollowed out our coastal communities; homes should be for neighbors, not tourists.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hollow out
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Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Although much of Hollywood is bracing for AI to hollow out jobs, Erwin argues that AI can return at least some production jobs that have been outsourced.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
This rock hollowed out by erosion and walled up with stones was likely used by shepherds as a shelter near the historic Sardinian village of Tempio Pausania.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
STRs have hollowed out our coastal communities; homes should be for neighbors, not tourists.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hollow out
Cite this Entry
“Hollow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hollow%20out. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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