escape hatch

noun

1
: a hatch providing an emergency exit from an enclosed space
2
: a means of evading a difficulty, dilemma, or responsibility

Examples of escape hatch in a Sentence

the escape hatch of a submarine
Recent Examples on the Web Notably, the law provides an escape hatch, permitting a local government to allow the carrying of a firearm in its buildings. John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 15 July 2024 Americans, like Stewart, looking for an escape hatch will find New Zealand a very different place this time around. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 2 July 2024 The asymmetrical Abercrombie top is an escape hatch—or at least an extra day of putting off doing your laundry. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 June 2024 That design choice makes outgoing web links seem like a legacy escape hatch for when the chatbot doesn't work, and Google wants to know why more people haven't opted in to this. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for escape hatch 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'escape hatch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of escape hatch was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near escape hatch

Cite this Entry

“Escape hatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escape%20hatch. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on escape hatch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!