hatches
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhætʃɪz// UK //hˈætʃɪz// hatch·es
n. small doors or openings in a floor, wall, or the deck of a ship. They are often used to move people or goods between different levels.
n. small, often rectangular openings in a floor, wall, or ceiling, or the deck of a vessel, typically equipped with a hinged or sliding cover.
The sailors closed all the hatches before the storm began.
The cargo was lowered through the main hatches into the hold of the ship for transport.
Engineers designed the emergency hatches to be easily accessible from both sides, ensuring a quick exit in the event of a structural failure.
Usage
Often used in the plural when referring to multiple openings or the general state of a vessel's deck.