manhole

[man-hohl]

noun

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.

Nearby words

Origin of manhole

First recorded in 1785–95; man¹ + hole

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for manhole

One of the primary reasons the FMCSA gave for the shutdown was the manhole cover incident.
The Government’s Cheap, Dishonest Campaign Against the Chinatown Bus Industry|Jim Epstein|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
From the modern chastity belt to a bag that disguises as a manhole, Soraya Roberts on the growing trend of protective fashion.
From the Anti-Rape Bra to Chastity Belts: How Women Use Clothing for Protection|Soraya Roberts|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She also designed an emergency "manhole bag," a flat purse that could be thrown on the ground to double as a sewer.
From the Anti-Rape Bra to Chastity Belts: How Women Use Clothing for Protection|Soraya Roberts|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The only escape available to him appears in the form of a manhole, through which he escapes underground.
American Nightmare: Ralph Ellison’s ‘Invisible Man’ at 60|Nathaniel Rich|June 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Inch by inch they forced the manhole covering back, and finally they emerged into the open air and closed the covering again.
The Black Star|Johnston McCulley
Then he began to cry, resting his head on his arms, that were crossed in front of the manhole of the kayak.
The Popular Science Monthly, October, 1900|Various
Even the manhole, leading to the turret, could be kept open only for short periods.
Aircraft and Submarines|Willis J. Abbot.
The cast-iron mouth-piece of manhole fractured from insufficient strength, and allowed lid and upper flange to blow off.
Records of Steam Boiler Explosions|Edward Bindon Marten
This time he met with better success, for he managed to get through the manhole above without striking his head against the rocks.
The Iron Boys in the Mines|James R. Mears

British Dictionary definitions for manhole

manhole

noun

Also called: inspection chamber a shaft with a removable cover that leads down to a sewer or drain

a hole, usually with a detachable cover, through which a man can enter a boiler, tank, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for manhole

manhole

also man-hole, "hole through which a person may pass," 1793, from man (n.) + hole (n.).