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

The video feed later showed a number of carabinieri and firefighters peering into a manhole nearby as a crowd continued to mill about the square.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

He walked away and, minutes later, the bright light of a welding gun sealed the manhole shut.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

A thief in Chatsworth tried to evade law enforcement by hiding in the manhole for nearly four hours, a police official said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

After getting out a few cans of spray paint, something drew him to the manhole cover in the street.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

The lid to the manhole was now completely removed, making the half-moon above him a round disk of blue afternoon sky.

From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia