Latch | Mean of latch in English Dictionary

/ˈlætʃ/

• Noun
• a device that holds a door, gate, or window closed and that consists of a bar that falls into a holder when it is closed and that is lifted when it is open
1. He lifted the latch and opened the gate.
• a type of door lock that can be opened from the inside by turning a lever or knob but can only be opened from the outside with a key
1. I heard her key turn/click in the latch.
• closed but not locked
1. I left the front door on the latch so that she could get in.
• Verb

• to close or fasten (something, such as a door) with a latch
1. latch the gate
• to begin to understand something
1. What he was saying was complicated, so it took me a while to latch on. [=catch on]
• to grab and hold (something)
1. He latched onto her arm and wouldn't let go.
2. The news media has latched on to the scandal.
• to begin using or doing (something) in an enthusiastic way
1. Many companies have latched onto [=adopted] the trend of using consultants.
2. He latched onto music as a way to relax.
• to stay close to (someone or something)
1. Soon after she got to the party, some strange man latched on to her [=started talking to her] and wouldn't go away.