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bolt

bolt

61 4.4
A metal bar that slides into a door or window to lock it
  • noun
  • /boʊlt/
translation icon : cerrojo
  • Just as I was getting ready to leave, though, I heard the rasp of bolts sliding back.

Examples

  • A vault door has 20 bolts, each an inch in diameter.

  • I lay in the dark and held my breath, listening to the bedroom door's bolt strain against the frame.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • So then put the bolt in the hole here.

  • What we got, man, what we got, I got just some type of little bolt, nothing crazy.

  • The bolt goes in the receiver.

  • I never heard the key turn in the lock... ...and I never heard the snap of the bolt.

  • So you can put those little security little bolts through there.

  • First you push this up, latch it, and then you have to secure these bolts in place.

  • The inner hatch was fixed in place with six large bolts which had to be manually unscrewed with a wrench.

  • The bolt slid smoothly into place, locking the door securely behind them.

Synonyms

deadbolt
vsbolt
14 4.6

A strong metal bar that you move with a key or knob to lock a door

is the more general metal bar moved by a key or handle to secure doors
safety bolt
vsbolt
4.5

A metal bar on a door that you lock from inside to stop people entering

is the general metal bar that is usually operated by a key or handle
slide bolt
vsbolt
5.1

A metal bar you move to lock a door or gate

is a metal bar often operated by a key or handle rather than by hand
sliding bolt
vsbolt
4.2

A metal bar you slide to lock and unlock a door or gate

is the broader term for a bar that can be moved by key or by hand

Idioms

2 6.5

A sudden event that shocks people and is not expected

1 8.6

To use up all your energy or chances so none remain

6.3

Very suddenly and without warning

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

To feel sudden shock or surprise

8.8

To use up all your energy or chances

Compounds

12 3.9

A strong tool with long handles and heavy jaws for cutting metal, like locks or chains

A sudden bright flash in the sky during a storm that often comes before thunder

carriage bolt
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A metal rod with a round head and partial threads used to join wood through a hole

1 2.0

Two metal pieces, a bolt and a matching nut, that hold parts together by screwing

1 6.7

A heavy screw with a large head that joins wood pieces when you turn it with a wrench

toggle bolt
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A metal screw with a spring part that opens inside a hollow wall to hold heavy items

A large ancient weapon that shoots heavy arrows or stones during war

8.6

A hole an animal runs into to hide from danger

6.3

An extra feature you add to a product or system to make it work better

4.8

An extra product you add to an existing system to give it new features

expansion bolt
  • Specialized
5.3

A metal part that spreads inside a hole to hold heavy things to concrete or brick

machine bolt
  • Specialized
4.1

A metal rod with a square or six-sided head and threads that you turn with a wrench

A metal bar on a door that you lock from inside to stop people entering

A metal bar you move to lock a door or gate

A metal bar you slide to lock and unlock a door or gate

stove bolt
  • Specialized
6.8

A small metal piece with a round or flat head that holds metal parts together

How Secure

deadbolt
14 4.6
bolt
61 4.4
latch
49 2.6

Surface Forms

bolt singular
bolts plural

Etymology

The bolt in a lock is the sliding metal bar that fits into the frame to keep a door closed, from an old word for a bar or beam. That is why the bolt is what actually secures the door.