A hasp is a flat piece of metal with a long hole in it, fastened to the edge of a door or lid. To close the door or lid, you push the hasp over a metal loop fastened to the other part and put a lock through the loop.
hasp in British English
(hɑːsp)
noun
1.
a metal fastening consisting of a hinged strap with a slot that fits over a staple and is secured by a pin, bolt, or padlock
verb
2. (transitive)
to secure (a door, window, etc) with a hasp
Word origin
Old English hæpse; related to Old Norse hespa, Old High German haspa hasp, Dutch haspel reel, Sanskrit capa bow
hasp in American English
(hæsp; hɑsp)
noun
1.
a hinged metal fastening for a door, window, lid, etc.; esp., a metal piece thatfits over a staple and is held in place by a pin or padlock
verb transitive
2. Rare
to fasten with or as with a hasp
Word origin
ME < OE hæsp, by metathesis < hæpse, akin to Ger haspe < IE base *kap-, to grasp > have
Examples of 'hasp' in a sentence
hasp
Then he would walk before her back to the stable, loop the chain through the hasp and fasten with his own hands the shackle.
Murray, Stephen DEATH AND TRANSFIGURATION (2002)
I heard a scrape and a click, which suggested that the lock on the doors had been reinforced with a hasp and padlock.