manhole

noun

man·​hole ˈman-ˌhōl How to pronounce manhole (audio)
: a hole through which one may go especially to gain access to an underground or enclosed structure

Examples of manhole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This includes everything from a literal t-rex, to a manhole cover, to a giant slab of sirloin, a caterpillar, and even everyone’s old green pal, Yoshi. Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 New York woman, children narrowly avoid manhole explosion A woman identified as a grandmother and her two grandchildren are shown narrowly avoiding a manhole explosion in Poughkeepsie. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025 An electrical issue, not a gas leak, sparked a manhole explosion that blew open a section of Poughkeepsie sidewalk seconds after a woman walked over it with two children, power company officials said Tuesday. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025 The department said in a Facebook post that two other manhole covers exploded in the same area. James Powel, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manhole

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manhole was in 1769

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manhole. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

manhole

noun
man·​hole ˈman-ˌhōl How to pronounce manhole (audio)
: a covered hole (as in a pavement, tank, or boiler) through which a worker may go

More from Merriam-Webster on manhole

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