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
Clint Davis, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
Either way, pop listeners are clearly invested in Carpenter beyond her breakout hit’s ultra-catchy refrain and have latched onto the personality that helped power these two hits.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 24 June 2024
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 27 June 2024
The side case latch hooks may not snap properly into the lock which can cause the lid to open.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latch 
Verb
The strap here is also a bit thinner but still adjustable, while the flap simply hangs over and doesn't latch with a magnet.
—Clint Davis, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
Either way, pop listeners are clearly invested in Carpenter beyond her breakout hit’s ultra-catchy refrain and have latched onto the personality that helped power these two hits.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 24 June 2024
Noun
Its latches buckle upward to easily secure the lid to the base and are designed to fit under most beds.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 27 June 2024
The side case latch hooks may not snap properly into the lock which can cause the lid to open.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latch
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 15 Jul. 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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