locker

American  

[lok-er] / ˈlɒk ər /

noun

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.

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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

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locker Idioms  

1. see Davy Jones's locker.

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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

Comparable sales, which exclude the Foot Locker business Dick’s acquired last year, jumped 3.1% from the prior year.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Dick’s Sporting Goods reported higher fourth-quarter comparable sales and said that it was seeing progress in turning around its recently acquired Foot Locker brand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

“DICK’S and Foot Locker are perfectly positioned at the intersection of sport and culture which is becoming an even stronger part of everyday life,” Dick’s CEO Lauren Hobart said in a statement.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Dick’s is trying to transform Foot Locker, which it acquired last September, and has been clearing inventory and closing underperforming stores.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

On the outside it says: To: Will Grayson From: The Locker Houdini I grab the phone and say, "Hey, I found it."

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan

Related Words

• chest
• closet
• trunk