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

At the 2015 ceremony, the two seemed to temporarily bury the hatchet when Swift presented West with the 2015 Video Vanguard Award. —Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024

Old pros at burying the hatchet, Jane’s Addiction (7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Aragon; bylinebankaragonballroom.com) ready their latest victory lap, this time with their classic lineup in tow. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2024

Two years on, the two appear to have buried the hatchet. —Rebecca Picciotto,christina Wilkie, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2024

Anxious diplomats and business leaders wondered whether China and the United States might de-escalate their confrontation and bury the hatchet. —Felicia Wong, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2023

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

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