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

But fans of the Red Sox and Giants alike have to be encouraged by Ortiz's willingness to bury the hatchet. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Even the Gallaghers’ mom Peggy stepped in, pleading for her boys to bury the hatchet. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2025

In the decades since, Hubert and Fresh Prince star Will Smith occasionally feuded in the public eye before burying the hatchet during the show's HBO Max 30-year reunion special in 2020. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

Not long after, the man sitting on the bench, later identified as 39-year-old Michael Jacobs, attacked him with a hatchet, hitting him multiple times in the head, police said. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 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