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."
"The king had scarce ceased to writhe, When hate gave a terrible laugh, Like a manhole opened to Hell."
— Robert Frost, The Vindictives (1936)
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- manholes
Fill the gap
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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.
