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

Late in the fifth round, Oliveira latches onto Chandler’s back, squeezing him with all four limbs. —Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025

The space-tug, latched onto the ISS like a limpet, will wait 12 to 18 months for the ISS' altitude to naturally decay from 402 kilometers to 220 kilometers (140 miles). —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2025

Noun

Our one complaint is that the latch mechanism is difficult to engage. —Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025

Break-away collars are safer than regular collars, animal cruelty prevention groups say, because if a runaway cat's collar gets caught or entangled on something outdoors, a hard tug from the cat will release the collar's latch. —Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 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