manhole

American  

[man-hohl] / ˈmænˌhoʊl /

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.

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manhole British  

/ ˈmænˌhəʊl /

noun

1. Also called: inspection 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

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Etymology

Origin of manhole

First recorded in 1785–95; man + hole

Explanation

A manhole is an opening in a street or sidewalk that gives workers access to underground pipes, drains, power lines, and cables. A manhole usually has a heavy metal cover — which can go shooting up in the air in the case of an underground explosion. Steer clear of smoking manholes! Inside a manhole, there are steps or a ladder leading down to the space underneath the street. Utility workers need access to this underground area to make repairs or updates to services. From above, a manhole simply looks like a metal circle in the pavement. The word manhole (which sounds a little dated, since plenty of utility workers are women) was coined in the late 18th century.

Example Sentences

In one video, several men are seen removing a manhole cover and then descending into the sewer before re-emerging hours later.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

The utility company told US media that, after reviewing video footage, they believe the cover of the manhole was dislodged by a truck.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Gocaj stepped into an exposed manhole on Monday night outside a store near Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

“We are reviewing the details, and while this is a rare occurrence, manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles. Our thoughts remain with her family, and safety remains our top priority,” the spokesperson said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Along the way, they’d pass a manhole cover on which someone had spray-painted DO NOT EAT THIS!

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater