noun
plural hatches
[count] an opening in the deck of a ship or in the floor, wall, or roof of a building
the covering of such an opening
a small door or opening in an airplane or spaceship - see also escape hatch
batten down the hatches
down the hatch
informal
If something goes down the hatch, you swallow it.
verb
hatches; hatched; hatching
[no obj] of a bird, insect, fish, etc. :to come out of an egg :to be born by coming out of an egg
[+ obj] :to cause (a young bird, insect, fish, etc.) to come out of an egg - usually used as (be) hatched
[no obj] of an egg :to break open as a young bird, insect, fish, etc., is born
[+ obj] :to cause (an egg) to hatch
[+ obj] :to create or produce (something, such as an idea or a plan) usually in a secret way
