locker

American  

[lok-er] / ˈlɒk ər /

noun

• lockers
  plural

1. a chest, drawer, compartment, closet, or the like, that may be locked, especially one at a gymnasium, school, etc. for storage and safekeeping of clothing and valuables.

2. Nautical. a chest or compartment in which to stow things.

3. a refrigerated compartment, as in a locker plant, that may be rented for storing frozen foods.

4. a person or thing that locks.

5. Digital Technology. music locker.

---

locker British  

/ ˈlɒkə /

noun

1. 1. a small compartment or drawer that may be locked, as one of several in a gymnasium, etc, for clothes and valuables

   2. ( as modifier )

      a locker room

2. a person or thing that locks

3. a refrigerated compartment for keeping frozen foods, esp one rented in an establishment

---

locker Idioms  

1. see Davy Jones's locker.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lockers
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of locker

First recorded in 1375–1425, locker is from the late Middle English word loker. See lock ¹, -er ¹

---

Explanation

A locker is a small closet or cabinet with a lock where you can keep your jacket and other possessions for a while. High school students typically have lockers for storing their books (and their smelly gym socks). You might use a locker at school, when you're visiting a museum and need a place to leave your backpack, or at the gym. In fact, most gyms and swimming pools have "locker rooms," where you can change into your workout clothes and store your regular clothes and shoes, as well as your wallet, phone, and keys, in a locker. Locker has been used since the 14th century — and even earlier, although it originally meant "a lock."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

locker lockers

But it also could have happened in a dorm room, locker room or other private setting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

It has an anchor locker, for heaven’s sake, a wash-down spray hose and a nightclub-caliber sound system that I doubt is Audubon-approved.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

The latter seemingly bought into some of the era’s storylines and ringside magic, believing that a rousing speech to the wrestlers in the locker room would convince them to strike.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026

When Goossen went upstairs at halftime to the locker room in a game against Saugus on Friday, Mack was running up the stairs with him telling him to use more power rushing plays.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

We both get our stuff and stand by my locker; the school halls are mostly empty.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell, sitting next to soon-to-be free agent Tarik Skubal at their lockers in the aftermath of their team’s elimination from the National League Championship Series elimination, made a promise:

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Things like new delivery lockers, she said, will make it easier for restaurants to handle digital orders.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Entry is through a metal detector, and bags must be put in the cloakroom or in lockers, and there are more security guards.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Here’s another school staple: “I have a lot of views on lockers, an enormous number of opinions on lockers,” Ms. Moskowitz says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Since Dari’s last name starts with a K, his locker is in the exact middle of the hallway—halfway between Twig’s and my lockers.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• chest
• closet
• trunk

---