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noun

manhole

MAN-hohl

Manhole (noun) means a round covered opening in the ground giving access to sewers or underground utility lines. Example: “Steam rose from the manhole in the middle of the street.”

noun
1
A round covered opening in the ground giving access to sewers or underground utility lines.
"Steam rose from the manhole in the middle of the street."
2
An access opening into a tank, boiler, or similar enclosed structure.
"A technician climbed through the manhole to inspect the inside of the boiler."

How to use manhole

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA covered opening, usually in a street, that lets workers get down into sewers or pipes.

Common pairings
manhole cover climb into a manhole

Word forms

manholes plural

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Steam rose from the _____ in the middle of the street.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of man and hole — an opening just wide enough for a person to climb through.

Rhymes for manhole

See all rhymes for manhole →

Frequently asked questions

What does “manhole” mean?

The word “manhole” means a round covered opening in the ground giving access to sewers or underground utility lines. In plain terms, a covered opening, usually in a street, that lets workers get down into sewers or pipes.

How do you pronounce “manhole”?

“Manhole” is pronounced MAN-hohl (/ˈmænhəʊl/ in IPA).

How do you use “manhole” in a sentence?

Here is “manhole” used in a sentence: “Steam rose from the manhole in the middle of the street.”

What part of speech is “manhole”?

“Manhole” is a noun.

How many meanings does “manhole” have?

“Manhole” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a round covered opening in the ground giving access to sewers or underground utility lines.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial