padlock
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
padlocksimple
-
padlockssimple
-
have padlockedperfect
-
has padlockedperfect
-
are padlockingprogressive
-
am padlockingprogressive
-
is padlockingprogressive
-
have been padlockingperfect progressive
-
has been padlockingperfect progressive
Past
-
padlockedsimple
-
had padlockedperfect
-
was padlockingprogressive
-
were padlockingprogressive
-
had been padlockingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of padlock
First recorded in 1425–75, padlock is from the late Middle English word padlok. See pod 4, lock 1
Explanation
A lightweight lock that attaches using a pivoting hook is called a padlock. Many high school students use lockers that can be locked with padlocks to keep their smelly gym clothes safe. A padlock's hook or shackle is hinged so that it can fasten through an opening, clicking shut securely. Most padlocks require a key to open them, while others use a combination, a series of wheels that you turn and align to show a certain password before the padlock will open. You can use padlock as a verb, too: "Be sure to padlock the back gate when you leave!"
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He has also consulted with the Padlock Ranch, an operation that runs 11,000 head of cattle over nearly half a million acres near the Bighorn Mountains.
From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2010
Padlock guests stay at the Wolf Mountain Lodge, a palatial log-cabin-style inn.
From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2010
AXO Phoenix Pant: $159.99 Team Issue Jersey: $49.99 Padlock Glove: $39.99 877/296-7223 www.axorace.com Bet you didn't know that we had moto-royalty on our staff, did you?
From Time Magazine Archive
In 1910 a measure known as the Padlock Bill was passed by the Cortes and recognized by the Pope.
From Time Magazine Archive
The fact is, Mrs. Padlock died suddenly the week Padlock spoke to me of going to Saratogy, and he married her sister, Miss Catchem, in course of a few weeks after, himself!
From The Humors of Falconbridge A Collection of Humorous and Every Day Scenes by Falconbridge
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
