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

The woman was able to grab a water bottle and hit the bear, and the man got a hatchet and hit the bear several times with the blunt end, critically injuring it. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026

This is when the man went inside the home, grabbed a hatchet and used it to strike the bear multiple times, police said. —Brandon Downs, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Even Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves have buried the hatchet. —Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026

Her memoir settles a few scores, generally with a stiletto rather than a hatchet. —Susan Page, USA Today, 29 May 2026

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