machete

noun

ma·​chete mə-ˈshe-tē How to pronounce machete (audio)
-ˈche-;
-ˈshet
Synonyms of machetenext
: a large heavy knife used for cutting sugarcane and underbrush and as a weapon

Examples of machete in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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One of the attackers was armed with a machete, according to KTLA. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026 Aliji and others planned to attack concertgoers using knives, machetes and explosive devices. Bryan West, USA Today, 28 May 2026 Now Busey’s holding a club, not a machete. Literary Hub, 27 May 2026 And wow, how juicy that fruit is, plucked straight from the plant and carved by Balala with a machete. Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for machete

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of machete was in 1575

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Machete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machete. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

machete

noun
ma·​chete mə-ˈshet-ē How to pronounce machete (audio)
-ˈchet-ē;
mə-ˈshet
: a large heavy knife used especially for cutting sugarcane and underbrush and as a weapon

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