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safety lock

safety lock

2.8
A lock on a door that keeps people from opening it from outside
  • noun
  • /ˈseɪfti lɑk/
translation icon : cerradura de seguridad
  • The apartment door has a sturdy safety lock for additional protection.

Examples

  • The safety lock on the front door is broken.

  • Make sure the safety lock is engaged before leaving.

  • He forgot to release the safety lock, so the gate wouldn't open.

  • Please make sure the safety lock is engaged before you leave the house.

  • The door is secure because of the safety lock that prevents unauthorized entry.

  • Make sure the safety lock is engaged before leaving the building to ensure no one can get in.

  • To enhance security, we installed a safety lock on the back gate.

Synonyms

lock
vssafety lock
523 1.0

A device that holds doors or containers closed with a key

focuses on preventing outside opening specifically rather than general fastening
bolt
vssafety lock
61 4.4

A metal bar that slides into a door or window to lock it

is designed so it cannot be opened from outside rather than just sliding
latch
vssafety lock
49 2.6

A small metal part that holds a door or gate closed

aims to stop opening from outside and give stronger security than simple fasteners
padlock
vssafety lock
18 2.2

A small metal device with a U-shaped bar that closes to secure doors or gates

is fixed to doors to prevent outside opening rather than being removable
safety bolt
vssafety lock
4.5

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

is the same device but named with a more general word
doorlock
vssafety lock
1.8

A thing on a door that stops people from opening it unless they have a key or code

focuses on preventing opening from outside rather than general fastening
sliding bolt
vssafety lock
4.2

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

prevents opening from outside instead of being only a manual bar
slide bolt
vssafety lock
5.1

A metal bar you move to lock a door or gate

stops opening from outside rather than serving only as a manual fastener
keylock
vssafety lock
3.5

A lock you open by putting a key in and turning it

focuses on preventing opening from outside rather than on how it is operated
lever lock
vssafety lock
  • Specialized
6.7

A device that keeps a door or safe closed until someone lifts the levers to the right heights

focuses on preventing opening from outside rather than specific internal parts

How Secure

deadbolt
14 4.6
safety lock
2.8
door latch
3 3.8
latch
49 2.6

Surface Forms

safety lock singular
safety locks plural

Morphology

safety + lock

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'safety' (protection, preventing harm) + 'lock' (a fastening device): a lock that provides safety. This noun–noun compound follows a common cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Safety lock is a lock or bolt placed on a door or gate to keep it safe by stopping it from being opened from the outside. So, it means 'a device that keeps a door or gate closed to protect a home'.