Machete

/məˈʃɛteɪ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A broad, heavy knife, often with a curved blade, used for cutting through dense vegetation or as a weapon.
The farmer used a machete to clear a path through the thick underbrush.
A tool used for various tasks such as chopping, slashing, or cutting through tough materials.
During the camping trip, we relied on our machete to chop firewood for our campfire.
In some cultures, a machete is also used as a traditional agricultural implement.
The workers in the sugarcane fields wielded their machetes skillfully as they harvested the crops.

Etymology

The word 'machete' comes from Spanish, derived from 'macha', meaning 'a knife'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

swing a machete:
To strike or cut swiftly with a machete.
machete through the jungle:
To clear a path through dense vegetation using a machete.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

To go on a wild adventure or brawl.
They decided to machete their way through the party the other night.
To cut through obstacles in a metaphorical sense.
She macheted through the red tape to get her project approved.