Meaning & use
detent
A small mechanical catch or lever that holds a moving part in a fixed position until it is released.
See it in a sentence
The dial clicks into place at each setting because of a small detent inside.
Engineers added a detent to the switch so it would not slip between positions.
A note on using this word
Common in dials, gearshifts, and locks, where a felt 'click' confirms the part has settled into position.
Words with a similar meaning
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