bolt
Pronunciation: [boʊlt]
Context: "fasteners"
(noun) a bolt is a metal pin or screw that helps hold things together. You can think of it like a strong little stick that keeps pieces of furniture from falling apart.
Example
He used a bolt to secure the legs of the table.
Example
Without a bolt, the chair fell apart when I sat on it.
Example
Do you have a bolt to fix this loose shelf?
Context: "movement"
(verb) to bolt means to run away very quickly. Imagine a cat that suddenly sees a dog and runs away fast; that cat is bolting.
Example
The rabbit bolted from the garden when it saw the fox.
Example
Despite the loud noise, the deer did not bolt and stayed in the place.
Example
Why did the dog bolt when it heard the thunder?
Context: "eating"
(verb) to bolt also means to eat something very quickly, almost like you can't wait to finish it.
Example
He bolted his breakfast so he wouldn't be late for school.
Example
She didn't bolt her lunch because she wanted to enjoy it slowly.
Example
Did you see him bolt his dinner before leaving?
Context: "lightning"
(noun) a bolt can also mean a flash of lightning. It's very bright and happens quickly during a storm.
Example
A bolt of lightning lit up the sky during the storm.
Example
There was no bolt of lightning last night; it was a calm evening.
Example
Did you see that bolt of lightning strike the tree?