noun
manhole
MAN-hohl
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 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
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.