The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Eyelet \Eye"let`\ ([imac]"l[e^]t), n. [F. [oe]illet, dim. of
   [oe]il eye, fr. L. oculus. See Eye, and cf. Oillet.]
   1. A small hole or perforation to receive a cord or fastener,
      as in garments, sails, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A metal ring or grommet, or short metallic tube, the ends
      of which can be bent outward and over to fasten it in
      place; -- used to line an eyelet hole.
      [1913 Webster]

   Eyelet hole, a hole made for an eyelet.

   Eyelet punch, a machine for punching eyelet holes and
      fastening eyelets, as in paper or cloth.

   Eyelet ring. See Eyelet, 2.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

eyelet
    n 1: a small hole (usually round and finished around the edges)
         in cloth or leather for the passage of a cord or hook or
         bar [syn: eyelet, eyehole]
    2: fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole
       to permit the attachment of cords or lines [syn: cringle,
       eyelet, loop, grommet, grummet]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

32 Moby Thesaurus words for "eyelet":
   air hole, annulet, armhole, blowhole, bullet-hole, bunghole,
   circlet, cringle, deadeye, eye, gasket, grommet, guide, keyhole,
   knothole, loop, loophole, manhole, mousehole, peephole, pigeonhole,
   pinhole, placket, placket hole, porthole, punch-hole, ringlet,
   roundlet, spiracle, tap, vent, venthole