latch

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlach 

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

For that reason, fans also have latched onto a theory that Kendrick signaled her support for Baldoni, her co-star’s nemesis, while praising the work of movie directors before presenting an award at the British Academy Film Awards last week. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025

There was a lot of evidence of what Dorit did wrong for Sutton to latch onto. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2025

Noun

Secure latches: Some travel cases have a zipper to securely close the case — most commonly on soft-sided cases. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025

There’s a latch in place of a magnetic cover and the Apple Pencil slot sits on the outside. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing latch

• latch on
• latch on to
• night latch
• on the latch

Rhymes for latch

• bache
• batch
• brach
• catch
• hatch
• mache
• match
• patch
• rach
• scratch
• snatch
• tache

Kids Definition

latch

1 of 3 verb

ˈlach 

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