A machete is a large, heavy knife with a broad blade, typically 12 to 18 inches long, used as a tool. Think of it as somewhere between a knife and a sword: too big to fit in your pocket, but designed for practical work rather than combat.

Farmers and workers in tropical regions use machetes to cut through thick vegetation like sugarcane, clear jungle paths, or harvest crops. The blade is thick and sturdy enough to chop through tough plant stems with a single swing. In many parts of Central America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, a machete is as common a tool as a hammer or shovel might be in North America.

Its primary purpose is agricultural work. A skilled worker can use a machete to clear a path through dense forest, split coconuts, or trim branches with remarkable precision. In some cultures, learning to handle a machete safely and effectively is an important skill passed down through generations, much like learning to use any essential tool.