Definition

1. Noun:

   • A detachable lock with a hinged or sliding shackle that can be passed through a staple, link, or ring and then snapped or locked shut.

2. Verb:

   • To fasten or secure something using a padlock.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • She secured the gate with a sturdy padlock.
  • The old chest was protected by a rusty padlock.
• Verb:
  • Please padlock the storage unit when you leave.
  • They padlocked the bicycle to the fence.

Advanced Usage

• "Under lock and key": Securely locked away.
  • The confidential documents are kept under lock and key.
• "Put a padlock on": To officially close or prohibit access to something.
  • The city had to put a padlock on the unsafe building.

Variants and Related Words

• Lock (noun/verb): A more general term for a fastening device or the act of fastening.
• Combination padlock (noun): A padlock opened by rotating dials to a specific sequence of numbers or letters, rather than with a key.
• Shackle (noun): The U-shaped metal bar in a padlock that swings open and snaps closed.

Synonyms

• Noun: Lock, fastener.
• Verb: Lock, secure, fasten.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Padlock something to something: To attach one item to another using a padlock.
  • He padlocked his suitcase to the luggage rack.
• Padlock something shut: To close and secure something with a padlock.
  • The owner padlocked the shed shut for the winter.

Related Idioms

• Lock, stock, and barrel: Completely; including everything.
  • They sold the business lock, stock, and barrel. (While not containing "padlock," this idiom uses the related concept of "lock" to mean entirety.)

Noun

1. a detachable lock; has a hinged shackle that can be passed through the staple of a hasp or the links in a chain and then snapped shut

Verb

1. fasten with a padlock