padlockEnglishOxford New American Dictionarypadlock /ˈpadˌläk, ˈpædˌlɑk / ▸ noun a detachable lock hanging by a pivoted hook on the object fastened: a padlock on the garden gate. ▸ verb [with object] secure with a padlock: his father had padlocked the gate (as adjective padlocked) a padlocked door. – ORIGIN late 15th century : from pad- (of unknown origin) + the noun lock1.