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
Andrew Keatts, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
The Dodgers love to latch onto pitchers such as this, with great upside potential upon recovery.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Wes Siler, Outside Online, 2 Sep. 2024
Its side shields have a secure latch mechanism to reduce peripheral glare.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latch 
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Verb
Mayor Todd Gloria has latched onto tough-on-crime rhetoric throughout his reelection campaign, even as crime in the city recedes from its pandemic-era spike.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
The Dodgers love to latch onto pitchers such as this, with great upside potential upon recovery.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Parts like tent bodies, latches, lighting kits and more are on-sale through September 18th at 10 to 20 percent discounts.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 2 Sep. 2024
Its side shields have a secure latch mechanism to reduce peripheral glare.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latch
Dictionary Entries Near latch
Cite this Entry
“Latch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latch. Accessed 23 Nov. 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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