: a hole through which one may go especially to gain access to an underground or enclosed structure

Examples of manhole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The events over the weekend follow similar recent instances of individuals seen entering or exiting the manholes found across New York City streets. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Not long ago, a woman lost her life after falling through an open manhole. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 On the other side of the dark matter manhole, the pair find themselves on a deserted planet which seems to have already been utterly destroyed. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026 In the paper bag, there’s a dark matter manhole that leads to Antaan’s (Paul Ben-Victor) alien world. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manhole

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manhole was in 1769

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Cite this Entry

“Manhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manhole. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a covered hole (as in a pavement, tank, or boiler) through which a worker may go
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