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 2015 ceremony, the two seemed to temporarily bury the hatchet when Swift presented West with the 2015 Video Vanguard Award. —Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Phoenix police shot and killed a man who was armed with a hatchet and a knife. —Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025

All of these years later, the concert moment is a reminder of the power of being able to bury the hatchet and move forward. —Kate Vitasek, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

The contest on day 34 had the final six separated into two teams of three that would race across a series of seesaws and up and through a cargo net tower before digging up a hatchet and chopping a rope. —EW.com, 13 Aug. 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