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

At the Met Gala on May 5, the two pop stars appeared to bury the hatchet. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 May 2025

Italian Husband is using the wedding as an excuse to bury the hatchet between his family and the rival mafiosi, apparently. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 May 2025

The ads also take aim at Trump’s decision to take a hatchet to programs that funded pro-democracy groups in places like Cuba, by cutting USAID, which Rubio now oversees. —David Smiley, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2025

An Alabama man is fighting for his life after he was allegedly blindsided with a hatchet while waiting at a Tucson bus stop with his wife on the morning of April 12. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 16 Apr. 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