A tomahawk is a small axe that was traditionally used by Native American peoples. It has a wooden handle and a stone or metal head, with one side sharpened for cutting. Native Americans used tomahawks as tools for chopping wood, hunting, and building, and sometimes as weapons.

The tomahawk became an important item in trade between Native Americans and European settlers, who began making metal tomahawk heads to exchange for furs and other goods. Different tribes developed their own styles: some tomahawks had a blade on one side and a hammer or pipe bowl on the other, making them useful for multiple purposes.

In modern times, the word tomahawk has taken on new meanings. In basketball, a tomahawk dunk is when a player brings the ball down forcefully through the hoop with both hands, like swinging an axe. The U.S. military uses Tomahawk missiles, named for their striking power.

The tomahawk has become an iconic symbol of Native American culture and frontier American history, appearing in countless stories, movies, and museums. Today, some people practice tomahawk throwing as a sport, testing their aim and skill at hitting wooden targets.