lock

[ lok ]

/ lɒk /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: lock / locked on Thesaurus.com

noun

a device for securing a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.

a contrivance for fastening or securing something.

(in a firearm)

the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.
safety (def. 4).

any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.

an enclosed chamber in a canal, dam, etc., with gates at each end, for raising or lowering vessels from one level to another by admitting or releasing water.

an air lock or decompression chamber.

complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold: The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.

Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing: He's a lock to win the championship.

Wrestling. any of various holds, especially a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head: leg lock.

Horology. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.

Metalworking. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.

verb (used with object)

to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.

to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.

to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock: He locked the steering wheel on his car.

to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts: to lock the wheels of a wagon.

to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining: to lock arms.

to hold fast in an embrace: She was locked in his arms.

to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often followed by through, in, out, down, or up).

to furnish with locks, as a canal.

verb (used without object)

to become locked: This door locks with a key.

to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked: gears that lock into place.

to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.

to construct locks in waterways.

Verb Phrases

lock in,

to commit unalterably: to lock in the nomination of the party's candidates.
(of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities.

lock off, to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.

lock on, to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.

lock out,

to keep out by or as if by a lock.
to subject (employees) to a lockout.

lock up,

to imprison for a crime.
Printing. to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoins.
to fasten or secure with a lock or locks.
to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etc.
to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts.

QUIZ

GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!

Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.

Question 1 of 9

Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about lock

lock horns, to come into conflict; clash: to lock horns with a political opponent.

lock, stock, and barrel, completely; entirely; including every part, item, or facet, no matter how small or insignificant: We bought the whole business, lock, stock, and barrel.

under lock and key, securely locked up: The documents were under lock and key.

Origin of lock

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English loc “fastening, bar”; cognate with Middle Low German lok, Old High German loh, Old Norse lok “a cover, lid,” Gothic -luk in usluk “opening”; akin to Old English lūcan “to shut”

OTHER WORDS FROM lock

lockless, adjectiveself-locking, adjectivewell-locked, adjective

Words nearby lock

Loch Ness, Loch Ness monster, Loch Raven, lochus, loci, lock, lockable, lockage, lock bay, lockbox, lockdown

Other definitions for lock (2 of 2)

lock²

[ lok ]

/ lɒk /

noun

a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair.

locks,

the hair of the head.
short wool of inferior quality, as that obtained in small clumps from the legs.

a small tuft or portion of wool, cotton, flax, etc.

Origin of lock

before 900; Middle English locke,Old English locc lock of hair, cognate with Old Norse lokkr,Dutch lok curl, German Locke

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use lock in a sentence

On top of that we run what’s called the dynamic paywall, which is a lock on stories regardless of their content category, but based more on your habits on the Daily Beast.
Media Briefing: Media companies’ DE&I follow-throughs fall short|Tim Peterson|February 4, 2021|Digiday
These small compounds lock into place with water molecules, like a key in a lock, to prevent ice from forming.
Fish blood could hold the answer to safer de-icing solutions during snowstorms|By Monika Bleszynski/The Conversation|February 1, 2021|Popular-Science
There, the chemicals fit like a key into receptors — molecules that are like locks.
Let’s learn about taste|Bethany Brookshire|January 26, 2021|Science News For Students
Ceramic dryers can increase volume and reduce dryness in thin, fine hair, but might leave something to be desired for those with fuller locks.
The best hair dryer: Get a salon-worthy blowout at home|Carsen Joenk|January 22, 2021|Popular-Science

On top of those functions, it’s equipped with a 30-minute keep warm setting, control lock, turbo defrost, and more.
The best microwaves: This way for buttery popcorn and tempting leftovers|PopSci Commerce Team|January 22, 2021|Popular-Science
While the desk sergeant ran a background check, he was roughed up by another officer in the lock-up.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Now they will definitely lock Navalny in prison,” one of the women in the crowd said.
Russia’s Rebel In Chief Escapes House Arrest|Anna Nemtsova|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who knew that a competition where you clutch the hand of another man and lock eyes across a table could be this damn gay.
High-End Pervs Film Benedict Cumberbatch and Reese Witherspoon Sucking Face|Amy Zimmerman|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In many ways, she seems a lock for the win, but her atheism puts her entire character in question.
The Good Wife’s Religion Politics: Voters Have No Faith in Alicia's Atheism|Regina Lizik|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Charges were eventually dropped against them, in part because two had lock-solid alibis.
The Myth of the Central Park Five|Edward Conlon|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The place was used as a lock-up for some time after the incorporation, and the old irons were kept on show for years.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
I do not know—I do not dare to believe—that I shall live to hear that key grating in the lock.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Another manner of punishment consists in making them wear a tin mask, which is fastened with a lock behind.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
The launch was already under way, and young Cargill trying to avoid it better, thrust with his boat-hook at the side of the lock.
Uncanny Tales|Various
He turned into the right number, as he thought, but upon trying to insert the key in the lock he found that he had made a mistake.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux

British Dictionary definitions for lock (1 of 2)

lock¹

/ (lɒk) /

noun

a device fitted to a gate, door, drawer, lid, etc, to keep it firmly closed and often to prevent access by unauthorized persons

a similar device attached to a machine, vehicle, etc, to prevent use by unauthorized personsa steering lock

a section of a canal or river that may be closed off by gates to control the water level and the raising and lowering of vessels that pass through it
(as modifier)a lock gate

the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts

British the extent to which a vehicle's front wheels will turn to the right or leftthis car has a good lock

a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun

US and Canadian informal a person or thing that is certain to win or to succeedshe is a lock for the Academy Award

lock, stock, and barrel completely; entirely

any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of his opponent's body and twists it or otherwise exerts pressure upon it

Also called: lock forward rugby either of two players who make up the second line of the scrum and apply weight to the forwards in the front line

a gas bubble in a hydraulic system or a liquid bubble in a pneumatic system that stops or interferes with the fluid flow in a pipe, capillary, etcan air lock

verb

to fasten (a door, gate, etc) or (of a door, etc) to become fastened with a lock, bolt, etc, so as to prevent entry or exit

(tr) to secure (a building) by locking all doors, windows, etc

to fix or become fixed together securely or inextricably

to become or cause to become rigid or immovablethe front wheels of the car locked

(when tr, often passive) to clasp or entangle (someone or each other) in a struggle or embrace

(tr) to furnish (a canal) with locks

(tr) to move (a vessel) through a system of locks

lock horns (esp of two equally matched opponents) to become engaged in argument or battle

lock the stable door after the horse has bolted or lock the stable door after the horse has been stolen to take precautions after harm has been done

Derived forms of lock

lockable, adjective

Word Origin for lock

Old English loc; related to Old Norse lok

British Dictionary definitions for lock (2 of 2)

lock²

/ (lɒk) /

noun

a strand, curl, or cluster of hair

a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc

(plural) mainly literary hair, esp when curly or fine

Word Origin for lock

Old English loc; related to Old Frisian lok, Old Norse lokkr lock of wool

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with lock

lock

In addition to the idioms beginning with lock

lock horns
lock in
lock out
lock the barn door after the horse has bolted
lock up

also see:

under lock and key

lock

Idioms about lock

Origin of lock

OTHER WORDS FROM lock

Words nearby lock

Other definitions for lock (2 of 2)

Origin of lock

Words related to lock

How to use lock in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lock (1 of 2)

Derived forms of lock

Word Origin for lock

British Dictionary definitions for lock (2 of 2)

Word Origin for lock

Other Idioms and Phrases with lock