latched; latching; latches
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
: 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
latched; latching; latches
: 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
Maria L. La Ganga, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Dealers will either install a rivet plate to reinforce the door latch arms or will provide a replacement door depending on the level of damage.
—Detroit Free Press, 26 Jan. 2024
Rather than growing into mature musical expression, Beyoncé latched onto political fashion, a craven move.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Feb. 2024
So, the Padres latched onto any and all available silver linings.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024
Former President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country’s elections systems are tainted by widespread fraud and malfeasance, and many of his supporters have latched onto such claims to contest his 2020 defeat to President Joe Biden.
—Max Greenwood, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2024
Forecast in detail Fortunately the last storm did not latch onto much cold air, so mild weather lingers a few more days.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2024
The bit showed what the fiercely energetic and charismatic Murray could do, and, almost literally from that moment on, SNL viewers latched onto Murray's signature mix of smirking silliness and performing courage.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2023
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
Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024
Slip pockets on each side of the case could be a great fit for jewelry or small watches, but run the risk of getting tangled since there aren’t specific latches to hold them tight.
—Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
The electronic latch mechanism used to open the gate of certain 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck beds could short circuit if water enters the tailgate, leading to the gate opening, the automaker said.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024
The automaker says that the electronic latch mechanism used to open the gate of some 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck beds might short circuit if water gets into the tailgate.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
But Margaret couldn’t open the cooler latch, and a panicked Margaret ran home, hid under a table, unable to tell her mother what had happened.
—Michael Schaub, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2024
Each bag also comes with a latch lock and has a Tumi tracer, a unique serial number that helps reunite travelers with their lost or stolen items.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2023
Tommee Tippee Microwave Steam Sterilizer: The sturdiness of this sterilizer impacted its usability, with the lid latches difficult to remove.
—Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
The classic tackle box is a plastic or aluminum box with a secure latch or latches on the front.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
Verb
Instead of focusing on the terrible weather, said Scott Jones, director of health and well-being at the Treasure Valley YMCA’s Downtown branch, latch onto a goal, and hold on for dear life.
—Maria L. La Ganga, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Dealers will either install a rivet plate to reinforce the door latch arms or will provide a replacement door depending on the level of damage.
—Detroit Free Press, 26 Jan. 2024
Rather than growing into mature musical expression, Beyoncé latched onto political fashion, a craven move.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Feb. 2024
So, the Padres latched onto any and all available silver linings.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024
Former President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country’s elections systems are tainted by widespread fraud and malfeasance, and many of his supporters have latched onto such claims to contest his 2020 defeat to President Joe Biden.
—Max Greenwood, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2024
Forecast in detail Fortunately the last storm did not latch onto much cold air, so mild weather lingers a few more days.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2024
The bit showed what the fiercely energetic and charismatic Murray could do, and, almost literally from that moment on, SNL viewers latched onto Murray's signature mix of smirking silliness and performing courage.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2023
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
Noun
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024
Slip pockets on each side of the case could be a great fit for jewelry or small watches, but run the risk of getting tangled since there aren’t specific latches to hold them tight.
—Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
The electronic latch mechanism used to open the gate of certain 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck beds could short circuit if water enters the tailgate, leading to the gate opening, the automaker said.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024
The automaker says that the electronic latch mechanism used to open the gate of some 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck beds might short circuit if water gets into the tailgate.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
But Margaret couldn’t open the cooler latch, and a panicked Margaret ran home, hid under a table, unable to tell her mother what had happened.
—Michael Schaub, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2024
Each bag also comes with a latch lock and has a Tumi tracer, a unique serial number that helps reunite travelers with their lost or stolen items.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2023
Tommee Tippee Microwave Steam Sterilizer: The sturdiness of this sterilizer impacted its usability, with the lid latches difficult to remove.
—Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
The classic tackle box is a plastic or aluminum box with a secure latch or latches on the front.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
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
Phrases Containing latch
Dictionary Entries Near latch
Cite this Entry
“Latch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latch. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
latch
1 of 3 verb1
: 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
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for latch
Nglish: Translation of latch for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of latch for Arabic Speakers
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