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

Hundreds of tiny bristles latch onto hair, pulling it off your surfaces and stuffing it into a dustbin built into the bottom of the roller with just a few gentle swipes. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024

Fans latched onto her chemistry with Garfield since their first red-carpet interview and really fixated on the possibility of the two of them dating after their Viral 2023 Golden Globes interaction. —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2024

Noun

Its side shields have a secure latch mechanism to reduce peripheral glare. —Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Learning how to hold and offer your breast to your baby can help to encourage a good latch. —Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 29 July 2024

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

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