dead bolt

Definition of dead bolt

: a lock bolt that is moved by turning a knob or key without action of a spring

Examples of dead bolt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Crawford was not in the apartment the next morning when the roommate left for class, and the front door was locked with a dead bolt, the roommate told police. — Tina Burnside, CNN, "Police are searching for a missing Clark Atlanta University student," 5 Nov. 2019 Residents can put dead bolts on doors that can make quick escape, or rescue, difficult. — Kristina Davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Illegal Philly boarding house where 4 died owned by former San Diego federal agent," 30 Apr. 2018 Raccoon can slide dead bolts, lift latches and open regular eyehooks. — Janet Eastman, OregonLive.com, "On the market: Homes with a creative chicken coop (photos)," 7 Apr. 2018 Pittman ran to the door, locked the dead bolt and told her kids to get upstairs. — Leah Sottile, Longreads, "A Teen and a Toy Gun," 6 Feb. 2018 Teri told him she had trouble turning the dead bolt on her way out, Quamme said in a recent interview. — Gina Barton, jsonline.com, "Unsolved: Was Michelle Manders kidnapped or did she just wander off?," 13 Sep. 2017 Teri told him she had trouble turning the dead bolt on her way out, Quamme said in a recent interview. — Gina Barton, jsonline.com, "Unsolved: Was Michelle Manders kidnapped or did she just wander off?," 13 Sep. 2017 Residents can put dead bolts on doors that can make quick escape, or rescue, difficult. — Kristina Davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Illegal Philly boarding house where 4 died owned by former San Diego federal agent," 30 Apr. 2018 Raccoon can slide dead bolts, lift latches and open regular eyehooks. — Janet Eastman, OregonLive.com, "On the market: Homes with a creative chicken coop (photos)," 7 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dead bolt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about dead bolt

Dictionary Entries near dead bolt

Statistics for dead bolt

Cite this Entry

“Dead bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20bolt. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

preeminent

Listen to the pronunciation of preeminent

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Anagram puzzles meet word search.