The definition of a padlock is a detachable lock with a hinged U-shaped hook that goes around the items being locked.
(noun)A lock with a hinged U-shaped hook that you use to chain your bike to the bike rack is an example of a padlock.
To padlock is to secure something using a lock with a hinged U-shaped hook.
(verb)When you wrap chains around the doors of your storage shed and you then secure the chains with a U-shaped lock so they cannot be removed, this is an example of when you padlock your shed.
See padlock in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
Origin: ME padlocke < pad (< ?) + lokke, lock
transitive verb
See padlock in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Origin:
Origin: Middle English padlok
Origin: : pad-, of unknown meaning
Origin: + lok, lock; see lock1
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