padlock

noun

pad·​lock ˈpad-ˌläk 

: a removable lock with a shackle that can be passed through a staple or link and then secured

padlock transitive verb

Examples of padlock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Baltimore City Council voted on Monday to regulate the city's growing number of smoke shops, and could later put a padlock on some. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Firefighters arrived and found padlocks on the exterior doors of the burning home. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2026

Last week, the area was secured with a padlock on a chain-link fence and the entire area appeared overgrown with signs of invasive plants such as bittersweet. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026

Fortune Brands Innovations — The stock added about 2% after The Wall Street Journal reported that investor Ed Garden built a stake in the maker of Moen faucets and Master Lock padlocks, seeking to replace the company's incoming CEO. —Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English padlok, from pad- (of unknown origin) + lok lock

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for padlock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

Kids Definition

padlock

noun

pad·​lock ˈpad-ˌläk 

: a removable lock with a curved piece that snaps into a catch

padlock verb