strike plate

noun

A metal plate affixed to a doorjamb that holds the door closed when the door bolt is extended into a hole, protecting the jamb against friction from the bolt.

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Meanings

nounstrike plate (plural strike plates)

plural strike plates

  1. A metal plate affixed to a doorjamb that holds the door closed when the door bolt is extended into a hole, protecting the jamb against friction from the bolt.

Origin

So called because the latch strikes against a metal lip when the door is closed.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Icelandic slúttjárn
  • slúttjárnmetal plate affixed to a doorjamb
Cite this entry
APA

strike plate. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/strike%20plate

MLA

“strike plate.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/strike%20plate. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “strike plate,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/strike%20plate.

Source: strike plate on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.