hatch

The word “hatch” means a small door or opening, often in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle. In plain terms, either a small door/opening, or the act of an egg producing a baby animal — also used figuratively for cooking up a plan.

“Hatch” is pronounced hach (/hæt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

Here is “hatch” used in a sentence: “The submarine crew climbed out through the top hatch.”

Depending on how it is used, “hatch” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “hatch” comes from Old English. From Old English hæċ, an old Germanic word for a gate or half-door — related to modern "hedge" and the German word Heck.

“Hatch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Hatch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small door or opening, often in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle.

As a noun, a hatch is a small door or opening, often found in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle. As a verb, to hatch means for a young animal to break out of its egg, or, figuratively, to plan or devise a scheme.

To "hatch a plan" uses the verb hatch figuratively, meaning to devise or work out a scheme, often one that is somewhat secretive or elaborate. The image draws on the idea of a plan developing and emerging, much like a chick hatching from an egg.

On a boat or vehicle, a hatch is a small door or opening, often set into the floor, deck, or roof, used for access or storage. It's the same core meaning as a hatch in a building, just applied to a vehicle's structure.