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
Trump recently announced an apparent curb to Musk’s authority, saying agency heads would oversee any workforce reductions, using a metaphorical scalpel, instead of a hatchet.
—
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025
The University of California is aiming to speed up the faculty discipline process amid criticism that cases take too long to complete — including one involving a UC Davis professor accused of posting threats to Zionist journalists that included emojis of blood and a hatchet.
—Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
While there would have to be a hatchet buried between Moore and the front office from how his exit from the building went down, it’s not viewed as something that would be difficult to overcome.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
The two seemed to bury the hatchet and have been taking things slow in private.
—Caroline Bell, StyleCaster, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hatchet
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.
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025
The University of California is aiming to speed up the faculty discipline process amid criticism that cases take too long to complete — including one involving a UC Davis professor accused of posting threats to Zionist journalists that included emojis of blood and a hatchet.
—Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
While there would have to be a hatchet buried between Moore and the front office from how his exit from the building went down, it’s not viewed as something that would be difficult to overcome.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
The two seemed to bury the hatchet and have been taking things slow in private.
—Caroline Bell, StyleCaster, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hatchet
Cite this Entry
“Hatchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hatchet. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share