latch

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a small metal bar that is used to fasten a door or a gate. You raise it to open the door, and lower it into a metal hook to fasten it: He lifted the latch and opened the door. 2 (especially BrE) a type of lock on a door that can only be opened from the outside with a key: She listened for his key in the latch. IDIOMS on the latch (BrE) closed but not locked: Can you leave the door on the latch so I can get in? verb [VN] to fasten sth with a latch: He closed the window and latched it. PHRASALVERBS latch on (to sth)