hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈha-chət 

1

: a short-handled ax often with a hammerhead to be used with one hand

2

: tomahawk

Examples of hatchet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There have been other folding hatchets in the past, but CRKT calls the Provoke X design a first of its kind. —New Atlas, 27 Feb. 2025

In taking a hatchet to the CFPB, Musk is not only potentially clearing regulatory oversight of new money services on X, but delivering a win to other Silicon Valley giants, which have for years been fighting against the bureau, according to lawmakers and advocacy groups that rail against Big Tech. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025

Officers went to the address and entered to find Peter Fox dead on a couch, with a hatchet lodged in his head, documents read. —Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025

Listen to this article The Village People and President-elect Donald Trump have apparently buried the hatchet. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hachet, from Anglo-French hachette, diminutive of hache battle-ax — more at hash

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hatchet

• bury the hatchet
• hatchet face
• hatchet job
• hatchet man
• hatchet work

Rhymes for hatchet

• ratchet

Kids Definition

hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈhach-ət 

: a small ax with a short handle

Etymology

Middle English hachet "small ax, hatchet," from early French hachette, literally, "small battle-ax," from hache "battle-ax"; of Germanic origin — related to hash entry 1, hatch entry 4

Medical Definition

hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈhach-ət 

: a dental excavator