padlock

American  

[pad-lok] / ˈpædˌlɒk /

noun

1. a portable or detachable lock with a pivoted or sliding shackle that can be passed through a link, ring, staple, or the like.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten with or as with a padlock.

padlock British  

/ ˈpædˌlɒk /

noun

1. a detachable lock having a hinged or sliding shackle, which can be used to secure a door, lid, etc, by passing the shackle through rings or staples

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verb

1. (tr) to fasten with or as if with a padlock

Other Word Forms

• unpadlocked adjective

Etymology

Origin of padlock

First recorded in 1425–75, padlock is from the late Middle English word padlok. See pod ⁴, lock ¹

Example Sentences

But residents can no longer view the bright autumn colours of the tree of life, a symbol often painted by Behzad, as the wooden door has been padlocked shut.

From Barron's

Instead of a doorknob, it has a large metal hasp with a hefty padlock.

From Literature

The court heard it was covered over with grilles but it is not padlocked shut.

From BBC

Plastic sheeting is taped across all the windows and there's a large padlock hanging on the door handle.

From BBC

The first and only response to that invitation was to ask him to put a padlock on the door to the storage room full of boxed documents.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fastener
• latch
• pipe
• rivet
• rod
• spike