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
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 July 2025
Their front legs are equipped with claws to latch onto their prey and inject a venomous saliva.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
Reuters, NBC news, 8 July 2025
The zipper is way more convenient than a bag with only one loose latch, and the long handles always stay put on my shoulders.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for latch
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Verb
Not exactly definitive, but the kind of circumstantial evidence people latch onto and start dating rumors over.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 July 2025
Their front legs are equipped with claws to latch onto their prey and inject a venomous saliva.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
Noun
Robert Luna, the company’s president, said the firm is importing heavy steel latches, hinges and trim parts separately to simplify the tariff calculation process and installing them at its Los Angeles-area showroom.
—Reuters, NBC news, 8 July 2025
The zipper is way more convenient than a bag with only one loose latch, and the long handles always stay put on my shoulders.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 5 July 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 19 Jul. 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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