deadbolt

Plural: deadbolts

Noun

• A strong door lock with a bolt that extends into the frame.
• the part of a lock that is engaged or withdrawn with a key
• The part of the lock which is moved when the key is engaged.
• A kind of lock in which the bolt (moving portion) is held in position by the cylinder rather than by a spring and so cannot be retracted except by turning the cylinder.

Verb

• To fasten or secure with a deadbolt.

Examples

• Her strategic play created a deadbolt, blocking his access to the triple word score.

Synonyms

bolt, deadlock