latching

US: (lach′ing)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

latch•ing  (lach′ing), n. 

1. any of the loops by which a bonnet is attached to a sail.

• 1325–75; Middle English; see latch, -ing¹

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

latch /lætʃ/   n. [countable]

1. a device for holding a door, gate, or the like closed, with a bar that falls or slides into a catch, groove, or hole.
2. a lock on a door that can be opened with a key.

v. 

3. to close or fasten (with a latch): [~ + object]
   He latched the barn door shut.
   [no object]
   The door would not latch.
4. latch on or onto, [~ + on or onto + object]
   • to obtain;
     get.
   • to attach oneself to:
     The stray dog latched onto the children and followed them home.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

latch  (lach), n. 

1. a device for holding a door, gate, or the like, closed, consisting basically of a bar falling or sliding into a catch, groove, hole, etc.

v.t. 

2. to close or fasten with a latch.

v.i. 

3. to close tightly so that the latch is secured:
   The door won't latch.
4. latch on:
   • to grab or hold on, as to an object or idea, esp. tightly or tenaciously.
   • to include or add in;
     attach:
     If we latch the tax on, the bill will come to over $100.
5. latch onto, [Informal.]
   • to take possession of;
     obtain;
     get.
   • to acquire understanding of;
     comprehend.
   • to attach oneself to;
     join in with:
     The stray dog latched onto the children and wouldn't go home.

• bef. 950; 1930–35 for def. 5; Middle English lacchen, Old English lǣccan to take hold of, catch, seize; akin to Greek lázesthai to take

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

latch / lætʃ/ noun

1. a fastening for a gate or door that consists of a bar that may be slid or lowered into a groove, hole, etc
2. a spring-loaded door lock that can be opened by a key from outside
3. Also called: latch circuit a logic circuit that transfers the input states to the output states when signalled, the output thereafter remaining insensitive to changes in input status until signalled again

verb

1. to fasten, fit, or be fitted with or as if with a latch

Etymology: Old English læccan to seize, of Germanic origin; related to Greek lazesthai