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

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

But things spun out of his control when Tanaghrisson drove a hatchet into the French commander’s skull and his men began killing the wounded. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

In 2025, Congress took a hatchet to SNAP to pay for new tax cuts for the rich. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 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