Bolt Meaning
Bolt Definition & Usage
A metal pin or shaft, typically with threads, used to fasten or secure objects together.
Examples
- "He used a wrench to tighten the bolt on the car engine."
- "The table came apart because one of the bolts had loosened."
- "She tightened the bolt with a screwdriver to secure the door."
- "The engineer replaced the broken bolt on the bridge to ensure safety."
- "A rusted bolt on the fence gate made it difficult to open."
To move quickly and suddenly, often with great force or energy.
Examples
- "The deer bolted across the field when it saw the hunters."
- "She bolted to the door when she heard the loud crash inside the house."
- "After the alarm went off, the students bolted from the classroom."
- "He bolted out of the restaurant when he realized he had forgotten his wallet."
- "The cat bolted from the room as soon as the dog entered."
To fasten something tightly or securely with a bolt.
Examples
- "He bolted the door to prevent anyone from entering."
- "The workers bolted the panels into place to reinforce the structure."
- "She bolted the lid onto the jar to keep it airtight."
- "We need to bolt the equipment to the floor to prevent it from tipping over."
- "After installing the shelves, he bolted them to the wall for extra security."
Cultural Context
The word 'bolt' has multiple meanings, from a piece of hardware used in construction to a verb denoting rapid movement. Historically, bolts have been used since ancient times, particularly in weaponry (as part of crossbows) and later in mechanical construction. The use of the verb 'bolt' to describe quick movement likely comes from the idea of a bolt being shot from a bow or released suddenly.
The Bolting Escape
Story
The Bolting Escape
Samantha had just finished her late-night shift at the warehouse when she heard the unmistakable sound of sirens. The city was in a lockdown due to an escaped convict, and she needed to get home as quickly as possible. She bolted out of the back door of the building, her heart racing, as she ran through the alleyways to avoid being seen. Her sneakers slapped against the wet pavement as she dashed towards the bus stop. Behind her, a guard had bolted the gates shut, ensuring no one could enter or leave without clearance. As she reached the stop, she could hear the faint sound of footsteps behind her, growing louder. Just as the bus pulled up, Samantha hopped on, narrowly escaping the chaos she had just narrowly avoided. Her escape reminded her of the bolt she had just used earlier in the day to secure the shipment. It was a small but vital part of the warehouse operation. Without the proper bolt, a shipment could go astray, causing major delays. She chuckled at how her quick actions were almost like the bolt securing her own future from the unexpected rush of the day. As the bus drove away from the scene, she took a deep breath and smiled. Sometimes, life required bolting in both senses: securing things and running as fast as possible when things got tense.
Related Words
