machete

noun

ma·​chete mə-ˈshe-tē How to pronounce machete (audio)
-ˈche-;
-ˈshet
Synonyms of machetenext
: a large heavy knife used for cutting sugarcane and underbrush and as a weapon

Examples of machete in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last year, a man was arrested after a machete and knives were discovered at a screening checkpoint in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), according to USCP. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 When his body was found, his wounds appeared to have been inflicted with a knife or machete. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 As if on cue, Guerrero’s 98 year old father hikes up the hill to greet us, with the aid of two walking sticks and a machete hanging from his makeshift belt. — Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The call details stated that a man was attacking people with a machete at that location, police said. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for machete

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of machete was in 1575

Rhymes for machete

See All Rhymes for machete

Browse Nearby Words

macher
machete
machi
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Machete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machete. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

machete

noun
ma·​chete mə-ˈshet-ē How to pronounce machete (audio)
-ˈchet-ē;
mə-ˈshet
: a large heavy knife used especially for cutting sugarcane and underbrush and as a weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on machete

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for machete

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