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Glite Dictionary
manhole

manhole

24 2.3
A covered hole in a road or sidewalk that lets workers reach pipes and cables below
  • noun
  • /ˈmænhoʊl/
: 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.

    Godzilla (1998)

  • I want every manhole on this street welded shut.

    The Beekeeper (2024)

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

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Manhole covers in the street.

    The Life of Chuck (2025)

  • 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.

    An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017)

  • 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

manhole cover
7 2.8

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.