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padlock

[pad-lok] / ˈpædˌlɒk /






Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

When we arrive he stops at a weathered wooden fence, uses a saw-toothed key to open a padlock, and swings open the gate before pulling into a nearly empty parking lot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

"They say education is the key, but honestly speaking we never find the padlock open," Daniel told AFP.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

During a robust series of exchanges, the witness rejected a suggestion by the family lawyer that the department "hadn't a clue" whether there was a padlock in place.

From BBC ● May 8, 2026

Not necessarily a designer one, but a handbag with a strong sense of itself — an acid-green baguette bag, a wicker orb with a padlock, a cheetah-print apothecary satchel.

From Salon ● Dec. 20, 2025

After a few seconds of tinkering, she released the padlock and eased the door open with one hand.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

She padlocks the gate when she returns and buries witchy talismans around the property to ward off intruders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2025

Onlookers, mostly locals, were greeted with padlocks and closed shutters.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2025

Sensing my interest in the cluster of irregular towers, he stood up, produced a large key ring and began opening a series of padlocks.

From New York Times ● Jun. 5, 2024

The utility informed authorities the padlocks were cut and the high side breakers turned off.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 4, 2023

I’m surprised she hasn’t got it locked up in padlocks and barbed wire.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

All across town, they were behind drawn blinds and locked doors and padlocked gates.

From Slate ● Oct. 26, 2026

Sindorf left in May 2024 but padlocked the unit behind him, preventing Vivos from taking possession.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026

But residents can no longer view the bright autumn colours of the tree of life, a symbol often painted by Behzad, as the wooden door has been padlocked shut.

From Barron's ● Feb. 4, 2026

In March, the clinic doors had been padlocked for two weeks when she developed vomiting and diarrhea.

From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2025

“Good thing I padlocked my door,” Kat said under her breath.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Instead of abruptly padlocking our door, as most restaurants do, we’d give everyone four months’ notice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

She’s laid off half the staff and joked about padlocking the door.

From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2025

And a law that was passed primarily with climate protesters in its sights, who have taken to gluing themselves to roads and padlocking themselves to this, that and the other.

From BBC ● May 9, 2023

“It would be a terrible shame if someone were to buy it and then start padlocking it. They’ve done so much work to it, it’s quite amazing,” Bell & Co.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 27, 2022

But most of the stores were closed and the owners had pulled the metal gates down over the front windows and doors, padlocking them shut.

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez


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