The phrase glory hole is a colloquial term for any small room or cupboard, usually containing odds and ends. Viewing holes on furnaces are also sometimes referred to as glory holes.

In the world of cottaging, a glory hole is a hole in the wall between two cubicles in a public lavatory. Glory holes vary in size from a drill-hole to a large and very obvious hole in the wall.

They are used in a variety of ways, either to look through to see the person in the cubicle next to you or to reach through to participate in sexual activity with the person next door. Some men may also put their penis through the hole to engage in oral or anal intercourse while maintaining the maximum degree of anonymity.