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.
Padlock guests stay at the Wolf Mountain Lodge, a palatial log-cabin-style inn.
From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2010
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
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
School for Scandal Padlock 281 6 0 March 14th.
From Memoirs of the Life of the Rt. Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan — Volume 01 by Moore, Thomas
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.
