hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈha-chət 

1

: a short-handled ax often with a hammerhead to be used with one hand

2

: tomahawk

see also:

bury the hatchet

Examples of hatchet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ella Beatty plays Lizzie — a woman who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with a hatchet in 1892 but was found not guilty. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Two axes and two hatchets were also found during a search of the home. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026

What's more, the murder weapon was believed to be a small hatchet found in the basement. — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Contrary to the popular nursery rhyme, Andrew was struck with a hatchet 11 times on that fateful August morning, while Abby was hit 19 times. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 Sep. 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