Definition

Noun: A covered opening in a street, sidewalk, or other surface, providing access to an underground utility structure such as a sewer, drain, or conduit.

Usage

A "manhole" is a point of entry for maintenance, inspection, or repair work on subterranean infrastructure. It is typically sealed with a heavy, flush-fitting cover for safety and to prevent unauthorized access.

Examples

• The city workers opened the manhole to inspect the sewer line.
• A loud clang echoed through the street when the truck drove over the loose manhole cover.
• Access to the underground cables is through a manhole on the corner.

Advanced Usage

• "Manhole cover": The heavy lid, typically made of metal or concrete, that seals the opening. While this is a compound term, it is the standard and necessary descriptor for the cover itself.
  • The distinctive round manhole cover is a common sight in city streets.

Variants and Related Words

• Access hatch: A more general term for a covered opening allowing entry into a confined space, which can be used in similar contexts (e.g., on ships, in aircraft).
• Utility vault: A broader term for an underground chamber containing utility equipment, which may be accessed via a manhole.
• Inspection chamber: A specific type of underground structure, often for drainage systems, accessed via a covered opening.

Synonyms

• Access hole
• Service hole
• Maintenance shaft (entry point)

Notes

The term is standard in civil engineering and public works. While the word contains "man," its modern usage is gender-neutral, referring to any person (worker, inspector, technician) who uses it for access.

Noun

1. a hole (usually with a flush cover) through which a person can gain access to an underground structure