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
M. J. Corey, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
In the wake of it all, Jonas has latched onto a feeling of appreciation.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 May 2025
Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Even the seemingly simple lids that cover fuel caps were being carefully inspected by two women at another plastic injection molding press, later to be fitted with a hinge and possibly a latch at another parts plant before being painted at a vehicle assembly plant.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for latch
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Verb
Then, once she’s seated, everyone in the courtroom sharply inhales: the robe of one of the French lawyers standing behind Kardashian has latched onto her perfect bun, yanking Kardashian’s head backward, and there’s a struggle to remove it.
—M. J. Corey, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
In the wake of it all, Jonas has latched onto a feeling of appreciation.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
The class covers what to expect when initiating breastfeeding, skin-to-skin holding, positioning, deep latch techniques, pumps and pumping, and basic troubleshooting.
— A Ready for Baby newborn care class takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Even the seemingly simple lids that cover fuel caps were being carefully inspected by two women at another plastic injection molding press, later to be fitted with a hinge and possibly a latch at another parts plant before being painted at a vehicle assembly plant.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for latch
Cite this Entry
“Latch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latch. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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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