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manhole

manhole

24 2.3
A covered hole in a road or sidewalk that lets workers reach pipes and cables below
  • noun
  • /ˈmænhoʊl/
translation icon : registro
  • There was a loud noise as the lid of the manhole clanged shut after the maintenance crew finished their work.
  • manhole cover

And Dan, I will see you at the manhole tonight.

Examples

  • We gotta get the manholes uncovered.

  • I want every manhole on this street welded shut.

  • We need to open all the manhole covers in the area.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Manhole covers in the street.

  • As he walks back, he spots another manhole cover at the next intersection down a side street.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • It's coming out of the manholes, coming out of the drains.

  • All stormwater is directed to a manhole that empties into the headworks of the wastewater treatment facility.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Now he comes scrambling out of the manhole, dazed and empty-handed, and madly dashes away.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The workers lifted the heavy cover from the manhole to check the underground pipes.

  • Be careful when walking on the street because there is an open manhole that could be dangerous.

Synonyms

hole
vsmanhole
1.0

An opening in something, often made by people or nature

is a covered street or sidewalk opening designed for utility access rather than any gap
manway
vsmanhole
  • Specialized
9.6

An opening that lets a person enter a tank or pipe to check and fix things

is specifically a covered street or sidewalk access point for underground utilities

Compounds

A heavy round metal lid that covers an opening in a street or pavement

Surface Forms

manhole singular
manholes plural

Morphology

manhole = man + hole (transparent) = man + hole

The compound denotes a hole large enough for a person (man) to enter; its meaning follows directly from the meanings of 'man' + 'hole'.

Etymology

Manhole is made of two simple words: man ('person') and hole ('opening'), so picture a hole big enough for a person to go down. That's why a manhole is the covered opening in a street that workers use to reach the sewers and pipes below.