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 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of manhole¹

First recorded in 1785–95; man + hole

Example Sentences

"I also love the way an intervention can affect somebody's day. I remember I saw a manhole that had been painted into an egg - that made me smile."

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A resident reportedly spied a man descending into a manhole on Saturday afternoon and knew something unusual was up.

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The death of a 10-year-old boy who fell down an open manhole at a construction site could have been avoided, a sheriff has determined.

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"It was just like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas and the manhole cover came off," he says.

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During the pandemic, I was able to access a Long Island landing station and stand directly above the manhole cover where the cables came from across the Atlantic.

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