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
Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
But party leaders have latched onto farming in an apparent effort to broaden their focus beyond migration and edge toward the political mainstream.
—Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The bacteria doesn’t seem to be able to latch onto the lower digestive tract unless there is already an imbalance in the gut microbiome or there is already damage to, or inflammation in, the tissue there.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
In response, the body produces antibodies, which latch onto the allergens, marking them for removal.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2024
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
Anna Halkidis, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defect Investigations has received 14 complaints from customers saying there was an intermittent failure of the latch and handle that prevented the opening of all four passenger doors, according to Reuters.
—Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Rivas kicked the beverage cart and then moved toward the outside door for the plane, using both hands to pull on the exit latch, the affidavit said.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
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
Verb
His antic, allusive works latched onto genres like vampire bats, but parody was merely his vehicle for howling into the void.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
But party leaders have latched onto farming in an apparent effort to broaden their focus beyond migration and edge toward the political mainstream.
—Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The bacteria doesn’t seem to be able to latch onto the lower digestive tract unless there is already an imbalance in the gut microbiome or there is already damage to, or inflammation in, the tissue there.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
In response, the body produces antibodies, which latch onto the allergens, marking them for removal.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2024
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
Noun
The company is also providing a free replacement child-resistant bag and even a cabinet latch in order to safely store the product.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defect Investigations has received 14 complaints from customers saying there was an intermittent failure of the latch and handle that prevented the opening of all four passenger doors, according to Reuters.
—Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Rivas kicked the beverage cart and then moved toward the outside door for the plane, using both hands to pull on the exit latch, the affidavit said.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near latch
Cite this Entry
“Latch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latch. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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