combination lock

American  

noun

1. a lock opened by rotating one or more specially marked dials a given number of times through a particular set of positions in a prescribed order and direction.

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combination lock British  

noun

1. a type of lock that can only be opened when a set of dials releasing the tumblers of the lock are turned to show a specific sequence of numbers

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Etymology

Origin of combination lock

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

combination lock

My favorite puzzle turned out to involve a combination lock affixed to a basket, in which uncovering the solution required us to listen to a monologue that alluded to famous cats in history and culture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2024

In the United States, nuclear weapons are “kept under cryptographic combination lock to prevent unauthorized use,” Hickey said.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 22, 2022

Also, at the start of the semester, he set the combination lock at the noon position and it remained unchanged.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 18, 2021

Each barrel features a combination lock, preventing vandals from opening the barrel and pouring anything inside.

From Salon ● Apr. 2, 2021

His uncle was at the back wall, fiddling with the combination lock on a large steel door.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein