Illustration of bolt
- bolt 3
1
a
: a lightning stroke
also
: thunderbolt
b
: a shaft or missile designed to be shot from a crossbow or catapult
especially
: a short stout usually blunt-headed arrow
2
a
: a wood or metal bar or rod used to fasten a door
b
: the part of a lock that is shot or withdrawn by the key
3
: a metal rod or pin for fastening objects together that usually has a head at one end and a screw thread at the other and is secured by a nut
4
: a roll of cloth or wallpaper of specified length
5
: a metal cylinder that drives the cartridge into the chamber of a firearm, locks the breech, and usually contains the firing pin and extractor
6
a
: a block of timber to be sawed or cut
b
: a short round section of a log
bolted; bolting; bolts
1
: to move suddenly or nervously : start
2
: to move or proceed rapidly : dash
3
a
: to break away from control or a set course
b
: to dart off or away : flee
4
: to break away from or oppose one's previous affiliation (as with a political party or sports team)
5
: to produce seed prematurely
bolted; bolting; bolts
Synonyms
Examples of bolt in a Sentence
Verb (1)
I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers
the cat bolted for the food dish the minute he spied it
the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching
bolted out the cuss word without thinking
the way you bolted those hot dogs, it's no wonder you're feeling a little queasy
Adverb
She sat bolt upright, staring straight ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Casey Clark, Parents, 1 June 2024
Eventually, eight more schools bolt from the Pac-12. 2022
When athletes were allowed to make money from endorsements, the N.C.A.A. issued little guidance beyond prohibiting schools from brokering deals.
—Mark Shimabukuro, New York Times, 29 May 2024
On his way to work, lottery officials said the Gaithersburg man picked up four $5 Lightning Cash tickets at a Liberty gas station in Damascus.
To win, players need to reveal at least 15 lighting bolts, officials said.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
During that early spring squall, a bolt of lightning struck an East Baltimore church.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bolt 
Noun
Your kid will enjoy picking out a print design since these boots come in an astonishing array of design options, from stars, rainbows, and lightning bolts to dinos, vehicles, and unicorns.
—Casey Clark, Parents, 1 June 2024
Eventually, eight more schools bolt from the Pac-12. 2022
When athletes were allowed to make money from endorsements, the N.C.A.A. issued little guidance beyond prohibiting schools from brokering deals.
—Mark Shimabukuro, New York Times, 29 May 2024
On his way to work, lottery officials said the Gaithersburg man picked up four $5 Lightning Cash tickets at a Liberty gas station in Damascus.
To win, players need to reveal at least 15 lighting bolts, officials said.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
During that early spring squall, a bolt of lightning struck an East Baltimore church.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bolt
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bolt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolt. Accessed 7 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bolt
1 of 3 noun1
: a missile (as an arrow) for a crossbow or catapult
2
a
: a lightning stroke : thunderbolt
b
: a sudden surprise
a bolt from the blue
3
: a sliding bar used to fasten a door
4
: the part of a lock worked by a key
5
: a metal pin or rod usually with a head at one end and a screw thread at the other that is used to hold something in place
6
: a roll of cloth or wallpaper
7
: the device that closes the breech of a firearm
bolt
2 of 3 verb1
: to move suddenly or nervously
2
: to move rapidly : dash
reporters bolted for the door
3
: run away sense 1
the horse shied and bolted
4
: to break away from or oppose one's political party
5
: to say thoughtlessly : blurt
6
: to fasten with a bolt
7
: to swallow hastily or without chewing
bolter
noun
bolt
3 of 3 noun
: an act of bolting
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