latch

1 of 3

verb (1)

latched; latching; latches

intransitive verb

1
: to lay hold with or as if with the hands or arms
used with on or onto
2
: to associate oneself intimately and often artfully
used with on or onto
latched onto a rich widow

latch

2 of 3

noun

: any of various devices in which mating mechanical parts engage to fasten but usually not to lock something:
a
: a fastener (as for a door) consisting essentially of a pivoted bar that falls into a notch
b
: a fastener (as for a door) in which a spring slides a bolt into a hole
also : night latch

latch

3 of 3

verb (2)

latched; latching; latches

transitive verb

: to make fast with or as if with a latch

Examples of latch in a Sentence

Noun He lifted the latch and opened the gate. I heard her key turn in the latch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Xolair is an antibody drug that acts as a sponge, binding to IgE antibodies and preventing them from latching onto these cells. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2024 At one point, prosecutor Artie McConnell suggested the hat might have fallen out of Jordan’s pocket, a claim that the defense attorneys latched onto. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 Jokowi’s partnership with Prabowo comes as the President, who has neither a strong political vehicle to remain relevant nor the financial resources of an oligarch, has latched onto the former general as a way to cling to power even as his presidential term ends in October. TIME, 14 Feb. 2024 Ben Yedder put Monaco ahead after just seven minutes, latching onto Golovin's excellent lofted pass and finishing powerfully. Jerome Pugmire, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 Far-right parties have latched onto such issues and are using them in their messaging ahead of European Parliament elections in June. William Horobin, Bloomberg.com, 24 Jan. 2024 Pedro also latches onto Rashid’s promise to help get his papers sorted and give him the legal right to stay in the U.S., while his colleagues roll their eyes at that empty assurance. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024 These molecules can trigger antibodies to latch onto RNA and its protein counterparts. Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 2 Feb. 2024 These seats are really only suitable only for children, but ones old enough to latch themselves into their booster seats so adults don’t have to clamber back there to do the job. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024
Noun
The carry-on and checked bag duo have similar features that include adjustable handles, aluminum latch closures, and an 80/20 clamshell design that has one larger side for storing bulkier items. Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2024 When the levee parts arrived, workers on tall ladders helped guide each of eight H-beam posts from the crane into metal latches embedded in the pavement. John Muyskens, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2023 This bottle comes with a nipple that positions a baby’s tongue and lips for a natural, comfortable latch. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 19 Feb. 2024 Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million electric vehicles exported to China to correct issues with autopilot features and door latch glitches, regulators announced Friday. USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024 Though standard strollers are easy enough to fold with two hands, many of them have buttons and latches that help keep the stroller compact while folded. Sara Gaynes Levy, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023 The hard-plastic construction and brass bail latch will endure rough handling, and a full-size, 10-compartment lift-out tackle tray comes loaded with essential tackle. Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 Eric Odell/Colorado Parks and Wildlife via AP Somewhere on a remote mountainside in Colorado’s Rockies, a latch flipped on a crate and a wolf bounded out, heading toward the tree line. Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 20 Dec. 2023 Some attempts to deny the causes of accidents obscured safety hazards, such as faulty latches, which could have put more workers at risk, ProPublica found. Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, 19 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'latch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English lachen, from Old English læccan; perhaps akin to Greek lambanein to take, seize

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of latch was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near latch

Cite this Entry

“Latch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latch. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

latch

1 of 3 verb
1
: to get hold
2
: to attach oneself

latch

2 of 3 noun
: a catch (as a spring bolt) that holds a door or gate closed

latch

3 of 3 verb
: to catch or fasten by means of a latch

More from Merriam-Webster on latch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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