1A bar that slides into a socket to fasten a door or window.

1. 1.1 A long pin with a head that screws into a nut, used to fasten things together.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • A good toolbox has lots of trays designed to hold all those odd bits of hardware, such as screws and bolts, washers, nuts, and nails.
   • You'll need a Phillips head screwdriver to fasten the bolt to the backplate.
   • The vet put a series of metal splints and bolts in place.
   • He got down on his hands and knees and examined the big bolts fastening it to the cement.
   • Computers should be secured to the side of a desk or the floor using strips of metal, bolts or screws, or newer locking devices created just for this purpose.
   • At one stage in his career he had metal plates in both knees, 28 screws in his legs and a bolt in his left wrist.
   • The vehicle can be dismantled easily by loosening the bolts holding it together.
   • It is much simpler to loosen the two bolts and change machines instead.
   • Six drivers were prevented from travelling any further after their vehicles were found to have loose axle bolts, defective tyres and broken springs.
   • It took workers 53,000 hours and 27,000 bolts and rivets to put it back together.
   • As a child, Gail had undergone treatment that involved having metal bolts and screws inserted through her skull and spine.
   • Screws, nails and bolts can all be used in the assembly of the components.
   • They removed damaged tissue and inserted bolts and pins, trying to piece together his shattered bones and tendons.
   • The remaining bolts which held the rail to the metal stakes creaked and groaned with the strain.
   • Titanium can be joined to itself or dissimilar metals with titanium bolts or with cadmium-plated steel bolts.
   • Six million bolts hold the bridge together and not a single one has loosened since the bridge was opened in 1932.
   • So began a painstaking operation to replace bolts and an expansion joint on the carriageway taking traffic out of the city, which was completed in 1969.
   • Use only non-corrosive nails, bolts and screws to prevent staining.
   • We also spotted a chunk of metal and a bolt missing from the gearbox.
   • The protesters refused to disperse, and apparently some started throwing metal bolts and blocks of wood at the police.

   Synonyms

   rivet, pin, peg, screw
2. 1.2 The sliding piece of the breech mechanism of a rifle.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Inserting the next magazine, I was confounded when the bolt merely slid over the top round.
   • They replaced the missing bolt in the one rifle and supplied new magazines for the two Camp Reed guns.
   • However, with conventional guns, the standing breech acts as a bolt sealing off the rear of the chamber.
   • Later analysis determined this round fired prematurely, causing the gun to jam due to stress on the breech bolt in the unlocked position.
   • A magazine slipped into place with a smooth click, the bolt slid back and forth freely.
   • Then he slid the bolt home, engaged the chamber by sliding a metal lever forward, and propped the weapon on the window ledge.
   • I store my ammo locked up separately from my weapons, I have trigger locks, and keep the bolts or firing pins out of my guns when stored.
   • He pulled back the bolt of the rifle with a sharp snap to ready it.
   • I grabbed for the rifle and snapped the bolt back, safety off, but held my fire.
   • I worked the bolt, feeling the mechanism glide smoothly and lock into place with a well-machined snick.
   • This feature allowed Winchester to use the same bolts in its rifles as for the .308-based cartridges.
   • He moved a hand guardedly down toward the bolt on his rifle.
   • He pulled back on the rifle's bolt, sending a spent shell whizzing out of the chamber.
   • He slid the bolt back on top of his rifle allowing the first bullet to rest in the chamber.
3. 1.3Climbing A long pin that is driven into a rock face so that a rope can be attached to it.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • She climbed with effortless grace and clipped the rope to the top bolt.
   • In the longer sizes this bolt has two expansion clips, making it a good choice for medium strength rock.
   • The climb was a simple lead to a bolt where we set up a tope rope.
   • After tightening the bolt and clipping the rope in, I had nothing left to do than test my theory.
   • Determined not to let it ruin my trip, I ended up getting really good at using my left hand for climbing, and hammering in bolts and pitons.

2A short, heavy arrow shot from a crossbow.

3A jagged white flash of lightning.

1Fasten (a door or window) with a bar that slides into a socket.

1. 1.1with object and adverbial of place Fasten (something) to something else with a long pin that screws into a nut.
   the lid was bolted down

   figurative new benefits have been bolted on to the social security system

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Adam said he would return and bolt it back to the wall a couple of days later.
   • The girder can rest on top of the posts attached with metal fasteners or two girders can sandwich the posts and be bolted or nailed to them.
   • I like the way that the Indian vocal runs in the background all the way through the track, rather than being bolted on as an occasional sample.
   • Other reduction gearboxes were quite common in Britain, but they were bolted to the rear of the gear box.
   • The multi-link rear suspension is bolted directly to the unibody without subframe or rubber isolation.
   • Each center piece was individually bolted to its matching end trusses, and then they too were joined by joists and covered with metal decking.
   • They then had to place the heavy new tyres over the wheels and bolt them on.
   • The frame is securely bolted to the workshop floor.
   • When police arrived they found that they had stolen the internal cash machine, which had been bolted to the floor.
   • The scissors component was added, the platform was bolted on.
   • We also wanted to make it cyclone proof, so John came up with a unique fixing system to bolt the panel to the slab.
   • These are bolted to the engine block and sealed with the aforementioned head gasket.
   • Some car companies have been bolting them on for years.
   • The consultants recognized, too, that their success depended on more than simply bolting a flashy Web site to an existing business.
   • The track was bolted to the ceiling.
   • With the bike upside down, clamp the top of the seatpost into a large bench vise that is bolted to a very secure workbench.
   • Four headlamps would never really take off until Audi bolted them to the front of their Quattro rally car in 1980.
   • He had wanted to bolt it onto a lamppost, but council planning officers refused permission.
   • I welded a bracket with a pad for bolting a vise to the square tubing that fits into the receiver hitch on the rear of my pickup.
   • Instead of bolting the binding to the top of the ski, the binding is attached through the middle of the ski from the sides.

   Synonyms

   rivet, pin, clamp, peg, screw, batten, pinion

   fasten, fix, secure

1no object (of a horse or other animal) run away suddenly, typically from fear.

1. 1.1no object, with adverbial of direction (of a person) move or run away suddenly in an attempt to escape.
   they bolted down the stairs

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Instead Sam bolted for the stairs that lead to the upper floor of the house.
   • He then felt a strong impulse coming from his stomach and he then bolted for the nearest bathroom, however he couldn't remember where one was.
   • Any actual customers had bolted from the place with half eaten whoppers in their hands fearing some kind of massive overthrowing or revolt.
   • There were no visible signs of dementia or signs she might bolt into Canada if we all stopped looking for just one second.
   • Buddy bolted, bounding down the driveway and across the street, heading right for me.
   • Ryan bolted up the stairs and Sheehan went barreling after him.
   • After all, what kind of person would bolt from a new party so soon after they helped to create it?
   • Buddy bolted towards the hospital room, arriving just as Maureen was leaving.
   • I practically bolted from the car and towards the bridal room.
   • The tavern-master yelled at the figure bolting up the stairs.
   • Nobody in the neighborhood apparently paid special attention to the fugitives' activities until after they had bolted.
   • Then both William and Ashley bolted for their respective rooms.
   • Once I was done I nearly bolted out of the lobby and the station.
   • I'll usually bolt out of bed and stumble around as if drunk, in an effort to find the obnoxious noise and shut it off.
   • Without thinking, Ryan bolted up the stairs, leaving the children to struggle on their own.
   • A plane homed in on the Corolla, and, as the family bolted from the car, bombs fell within a few feet of them.
   • The gong sounded, and as the boys bolted forward, Nicola suddenly went light-headed.
   • In the semi-final Michael bolted into the changing rooms because he didn't want to take a penalty!
   • George bolted, and Scott, my other pal was closet to the gang now, walking down the hill after us.
   • Steve bolted from the office leaving a perplexed Mrs. Smythe in his wake.

   Synonyms

   dash, dart, run, sprint, hurtle, rush, hurry, fly, shoot, flash, spring, leap, bound, start

   flee, abscond, escape, take flight, make a break/run for it, take to one's heels, beat a (hasty) retreat, clear out

   informal tear, zoom, skedaddle, scram, beat it, leg it, scoot, make oneself scarce

   British informal flit, scarper, do a bunk

   North American informal hightail (it), take a powder, cut and run
2. 1.2with object (in hunting) cause (a rabbit or fox) to run from its burrow or hole.
   a ferret progresses through the holes bolting rabbits

   the rabbits can be bolted out

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Occasionally, our ferrets are taken along to bolt rabbits from their warrens so the birds can pursue them.
   • This versatile, agreeable breed can go to ground, bolt a fox or tackle and dispatch other small vermin, working alone or in a pack.
   • We wait until the dog marks an occupied burrow then enter a ferret to hopefully bolt the rabbit.
   • The terrier will either bolt the fox or drive it back to a stationary position.
3. 1.3 (of a plant) grow quickly upwards and stop flowering as seeds develop.
   the lettuces have bolted

   Example sentencesExamples

   • By now most of your herbs have bolted to seed and should be re-planted.
   • One of the three plants that bolted did so in its second year and two in their third year.
   • Separate analyses were conducted for plants bolting in 1986, 1987, and 1988.
   • Use transplants in February for a quick crop of lettuce and broccoli before the weather heats up and the plants bolt.
   • Once established, plants are more likely to grow large and bolt on a rock or moss substrate with low than with high leaf litter cover.
   • Alternatively, whole plants were allowed to bolt.
   • Over the years I've learned to plant black radish after midsummer so it will not bolt to flower before forming a root.
   • Grown outdoors they tend to bolt in summer but indoors or under a cloche they should crop right through until Easter.
   • If present, these weeds should be treated by mid-April, before weeds bolt.
   • New leaves begin to form on rosettes in early March, about the same time plants that are old enough to flower start bolting.
   • Most of the herbicides work best before the weeds have bolted.
   • Coriander grows well in autumn, winter and spring but tends to bolt to seed in the hot weather.
   • It bolts and flowers two or three weeks before other common mustard species.
   • Plants bolt quickly, too, so sow seeds in small batches every few weeks.
   • Hot weather will cause the plants to bolt just like regular mustard.
   • For obvious reasons, this method is not compatible with mowing or spraying after plants bolt.
   • Newer varieties offered by the seed companies are slow to bolt in summer heat, and can be used to extend the growing season.
   • They bolt quickly, flower and before you know it, they are setting seed.
   • Here's something I can't seem to plant enough of and it only grows in cool weather, bolting to seed at the slightest hint of heat.
   • The only caveat is they have a tendency to bolt to flower and seed as days become longer in spring.

2with object Eat (food) quickly.

1A roll of fabric, originally as a measure.

2A folded edge of a piece of paper that is trimmed off to allow it to be opened, as on a section of a book.

Pass (flour, powder, or other material) through a sieve.