The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HAIRPIN
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More clues leading to the result HAIRPIN
- Sort of bend sometimes found in locks
- Bend 8 for accessory
- Locks leg after bend
- Bend you can’t take at a clip!
- Instrument protecting one in sharp turn
- Seat missing head and leg making sort of slide?
- What fastens and unfastens locks?
- Sixties musical with very good note
- They’re used for gripping turns in the road
- One fastens locks very tight
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "This can be used to secure locks" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case this can be used to secure locks = hairpin.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HAIRPIN mean?
HAIRPIN noun- A pin or fastener for the hair.
- A kind of ribozyme; hairpin ribozyme.
- A very tight bend in a road.
- An elongated v-shaped sign placed underneath a staff to indicate a crescendo