hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈha-chət How to pronounce hatchet (audio)
1
: a short-handled ax often with a hammerhead to be used with one hand
2

Examples of hatchet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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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 Now in peacetime and with a new set of actors, the time had come to bury the hatchet and settle the issue between once and for all. Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 But Kevin asked for the hatchet to be buried, and immediately the tension turned into celebration. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hatchet

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hatchet was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hatchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hatchet. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

hatchet

noun
hatch·​et ˈhach-ət How to pronounce hatchet (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce hatchet (audio)
: a dental excavator

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