a tool that has a head with a cutting edge parallel to the handle and is used for felling trees, chopping wood, etc
(the axe) drastic reduction or removal, e.g. of personnel
informal
a guitar
in jazz, any musical instrument, esp a saxophone
get the axe
to be sacked; to be made redundant
said of a project: to be cancelled or abandoned
have an axe to grind
to have an ulterior, often selfish, purpose to pursue
[Old English æx]