gunlock

American

[guhn-lok] / ˈgʌnˌlɒk /

noun

the mechanism of a firearm by which the charge is exploded.

gunlock British

/ ˈɡʌnˌlɒk /

noun

the mechanism in some firearms that causes the charge to be exploded

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gunlock

First recorded in 1645–55; gun ¹ + lock ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Taylor had previously told police she believed the gun was in her purse, secured with a trigger lock, and that the gunlock key was under her bedroom mattress.

From BBC

She said she kept the gunlock key under her bedroom mattress.

From Seattle Times

The gun wasn’t in a holster, and there was no gunlock.

From Washington Times

The gun wasn’t in a holster and there was no gunlock.

From Seattle Times

Make sure you use gunlocks or a special safe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023