manhole

[ man-hohl ]

noun

1. a hole, usually with a cover, through which a person may enter a sewer, drain, steam boiler, etc., especially one located in a city street.

manhole

/ ˈmænˌhəʊl /

noun

1. Also calledinspection chamber a shaft with a removable cover that leads down to a sewer or drain
2. a hole, usually with a detachable cover, through which a man can enter a boiler, tank, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of manhole¹

First recorded in 1785–95; man + hole

Example Sentences

Will Capper, from Winchester got a call from his partner Lauren on 1 August saying that "the manhole cover in the garden had started to overspill."

From BBC

One police officer was injured after falling into a manhole that protesters converted into a hidden trap.

From New York Times

With pipes coming together in a confined area, it was a tight squeeze to make repairs, with only one worker at a time working in the manhole accessing the junction.

From Seattle Times

These are disparate images, some historical, some contemporary, all variations on the circle: heraldry, Aztec symbols, currency, images of the sun and of star patterns, a manhole cover, a disco ball.

From New York Times

We climb out of a manhole cover between the Superdome and the Smoothie King Center.

From Literature