bolt
Bolt (noun) means a metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together. Example: “He tightened the bolts on the shelf bracket.”
How to use bolt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA metal fastener, a door lock, a lightning flash, or (as a verb) to run off suddenly.
Don't confuse a "bolt" (threaded fastener needing a nut) with a "screw" (which threads directly into material).
Word forms
bolted past tense, bolted past tense, bolts plural, bolts plural, Bolts plural, bolts singular, bolts singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He tightened the _____ on the shelf bracket.
Etymology
From Old English bolt, a Germanic word for an arrow or short shaft — the sense of a sudden dash or a lightning strike grew from the idea of something shooting out fast, like an arrow.
Related words
Rhymes for bolt
See all rhymes for bolt →Frequently asked questions
What does “bolt” mean?
The word “bolt” means a metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together. In plain terms, a metal fastener, a door lock, a lightning flash, or (as a verb) to run off suddenly.
How do you pronounce “bolt”?
“Bolt” is pronounced bolt (/boʊlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “bolt” in a sentence?
Here is “bolt” used in a sentence: “He tightened the bolts on the shelf bracket.”
What part of speech is “bolt”?
Depending on how it is used, “bolt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bolt” come from?
The word “bolt” comes from Old English. From Old English bolt, a Germanic word for an arrow or short shaft — the sense of a sudden dash or a lightning strike grew from the idea of something shooting out fast, like an arrow.
Is “bolt” a common word?
“Bolt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bolt” have?
“Bolt” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together.
What is the difference between a bolt and a screw?
A bolt is a metal fastener with a threaded shaft that passes through the parts being joined and is secured with a nut. A screw usually cuts its own thread into the material and holds without a nut. As a rule of thumb, if it needs a nut to clamp things together, it is a bolt.
What is the difference between a bolt and a latch on a door?
A bolt is a sliding bar that you move across to lock a door. A latch is a catch that simply holds the door closed and opens with a handle, without locking it. Many doors combine the two: a latch for everyday use and a bolt for security.