lubang

Lubang is a term from Malay and Indonesian meaning a hole, opening, or cavity. It occurs as a common noun across Malay-speaking and Indonesian-speaking communities and appears in various compound terms to denote openings in objects, buildings, or natural formations. The word belongs to the Austronesian lexicon and has cognates in related languages.

Common uses include: lubang kunci (keyhole), lubang udara (air vent), and lubang bor (drill hole or borehole). In construction or mining, the term may refer to drilled or bored openings such as lubang bor or lubang tambang (mine shaft). In astronomy, lubang hitam is the standard Indonesian term for a black hole.

Geographic usage: The word also appears in toponyms; for example, Lubang Island is an island in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. The term is thus encountered not only in everyday language but also in place names, where it may describe an opening or hollow associated with a location.

Etymology and related notes: Lubang is rooted in the Malay and Indonesian languages and forms part of a broader family of terms for hollow spaces. It can function across contexts—from physical holes in objects to metaphorical openings or gaps in various systems. The term is widely understood in Indonesia and Malaysia and appears in scientific, technical, and cultural usage, including everyday speech and education.