: a removable lock with a shackle that can be passed through a staple or link and then secured
padlock
transitive verb
Examples of padlock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Smaller artifacts such as coins, jewelry, cooking tools, bowls, knives and a padlock were found in the drain pipes and moat.
—
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Inspired by a padlock, a Tiffany motif since the 1880s, the $11,400 bangle is versatile enough for all genders.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2023
Residents can invest in a padlock for their electrical circuit boxes to deter easy access for burglars who want to interfere with the alarm system.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
The makers of web browsers have realized that this capability endangers their seeming padlock on being able to browse the Internet.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
The padlock was also missing from the small equipment building near the tower, and the door was left open, Elmore said.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024
In another November 2022 episode of the sisters' reality show, Aurora and Sophia were shocked to see that Olivia had put a padlock on her closet door, locking them out.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 24 July 2023
Matchsticks are the bars of fire escapes, a pushpin is a light bulb, a paper clip fixed just right to a Popsicle stick end is a padlock, plastic beads are wheels on a dumpster.
—Liza Weisstuch, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Top-of-the-line models also have more complex padlocks which are harder to pick.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2024
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Inspired by a padlock, a Tiffany motif since the 1880s, the $11,400 bangle is versatile enough for all genders.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2023
Residents can invest in a padlock for their electrical circuit boxes to deter easy access for burglars who want to interfere with the alarm system.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
The makers of web browsers have realized that this capability endangers their seeming padlock on being able to browse the Internet.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
The padlock was also missing from the small equipment building near the tower, and the door was left open, Elmore said.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024
In another November 2022 episode of the sisters' reality show, Aurora and Sophia were shocked to see that Olivia had put a padlock on her closet door, locking them out.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 24 July 2023
Matchsticks are the bars of fire escapes, a pushpin is a light bulb, a paper clip fixed just right to a Popsicle stick end is a padlock, plastic beads are wheels on a dumpster.
—Liza Weisstuch, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Top-of-the-line models also have more complex padlocks which are harder to pick.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'padlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near padlock
Cite this Entry
“Padlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/padlock. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
padlock
noun
pad·lock
ˈpad-ˌläk 
: a removable lock with a curved piece that snaps into a catch
padlock
verb
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