latch

American  

[lach] / lætʃ /

noun

latches plural

1. a device for holding a door, gate, or the like, closed, consisting basically of a bar falling or sliding into a catch, groove, hole, etc.

2. a breastfeeding baby’s attachment or connection to the mother’s breast.

   A good, deep latch is important because it allows the infant to get enough milk.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to close or fasten with a latch.

2. to attach (a breastfeeding baby) to the breast.

   You should know how to properly latch your newborn.

verb (used without object)

1. to close tightly so that the latch is secured.

   The door won't latch.

2. (of a breastfeeding baby) to be or become attached to the breast.

   Failure to latch can be the result of poor positioning of the baby.

verb phrase

1. latch onto

   1. to take possession of; obtain; get.

   2. to acquire understanding of; comprehend.

   3. to attach oneself to; join in with.

      The stray dog latched onto the children and wouldn't go home.

2. latch on

   1. to grab or hold on, as to an object or idea, especially tightly or tenaciously.

   2. to include or add in; attach.

      If we latch the tax on, the bill will come to over $100.

latch British  

/ lætʃ /

noun

1. a fastening for a gate or door that consists of a bar that may be slid or lowered into a groove, hole, etc

2. a spring-loaded door lock that can be opened by a key from outside

3. Also called: latch circuit.  electronics a logic circuit that transfers the input states to the output states when signalled, the output thereafter remaining insensitive to changes in input status until signalled again

---

verb

1. to fasten, fit, or be fitted with or as if with a latch

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• relatch
  verb (used with object)

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• latches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of latch

First recorded before 950; Middle English lacchen, Old English lǣccan “to take hold of, catch, seize”; akin to Greek lázesthai “to take”

Explanation

When you unlock your front door, you open the latch. A latch is a fastener or lock that you open with a key. A latch can usually be opened with a key or by turning a knob or lifting a hook or bar. You can also use the word latch as a verb, like when your mom reminds you to latch the front and back doors before you leave for school in the morning. In some places, the word "latch-key" is used to mean "key." The root of latch is the Germanic word læccan, "to grasp or seize."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

latch latches

The episode punctuated how reflexively we latch onto the idea of weakness as the primary outgrowth of racial injustice.

From Salon ● Jun. 19, 2026

But the idea that the entire world could latch onto something together feels too far-fetched in our own current fractured news environment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026

Nathan Collins pulled back Bryan Mbeumo as he was about to latch on to a pass in the 71st minute.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

It’s not unprecedented for struggling companies to latch onto the hot trend of the moment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026

I press 2061 and the latch doesn’t budge.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Everything from seat-belt buckle mechanisms to door latches could change how passengers might evacuate in an emergency, or how they are protected in a crash, Federal Aviation Administration chief Bryan Bedford told reporters last month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

Tesla’s vehicles primarily use electronic door latches that are opened by pressing a button.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 24, 2025

On the Igloo website, the company stated that injuries could occur at “pinching points” which are on or around the handles, latches, hinges, lid and other moving components on the coolers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 14, 2025

The system latches onto that speaker's voice and continues to play it back to the listener, even as the pair moves around.

From Science Daily ● May 24, 2024

Every night the hens climb the little ramp into the safety of the coop and Joel latches the door behind them.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan