Meaning of bolt In English

• 0 a metal bar on a door or window that slides across to lock it closed:

  • I closed the window and drew the bolt (= slid the bolt across).

• 1 a screw-like metal object without a point, used with a nut to fasten things together

• 2 a flash of lightning that looks like a white line against the sky:

  • The house next to ours was struck by a bolt of lightning.

• 3 a length or roll of cloth or wallpaper

• 4 a type of short arrow shot from a crossbow (= a type of weapon)

• 5 to try to escape by running towards something:

  • The thief tried to make a bolt for the exit.

• 6 to move very fast, especially as a result of being frightened:

  • Frightened by the car horn, the horse bolted.

• 7 to eat food very quickly:

  • Don't bolt your food like that - you'll get indigestion.

• 8 to lock a door or window by sliding a bolt across:

  • Have you locked and bolted the door?

  • The door bolts on the inside.

• 9 to fasten something in position with a bolt:

  • On a ship the furniture is often bolted to the deck.

• 10 a small metal bar that slides across a door or window to lock it:

  • I fastened the door with a bolt.

• 11 a metal screw without a point, used to fasten things together, often with a nut (= small piece of metal that attaches to it)

• 12 a flash of lightning, esp. followed by thunder:

  • Did a bolt of lightning set fire to the barn?

• 13 a roll of cloth or paper, esp. wallpaper

• 14 to move suddenly and quickly:

  • [ I ] At the first whiff of smoke, the horse bolted from the barn.

  • [ M ] He bolted down some breakfast.

• 15 to lock a door or window with a bolt:

  • Be sure to bolt the door when you go to bed!

• 16 to fasten two things together with a bolt:

  • He sat on a wooden bench bolted to the floor.

• 17 a long roll of cloth produced in a factory:

  • The stall sold bolts of cloth and cheap clothes.

• 18 a small metal object without a point that is used with a nut (= round metal part) to fasten things together:

  • The furniture fits together with nuts and bolts.