lock-in
noun
an act or instance of becoming unalterable, unmovable, or rigid.
lock-in
American
[lok-in]
/ ˈlɒkˌɪn /
noun
-
an act or instance of becoming unalterable, unmovable, or rigid.
-
commitment, binding, or restriction.
lock-in
British
noun
lock in
Idioms
-
Enclose, surround, as in The ship was completely locked in ice . [c. 1400s]
-
Also, lock into . Fix firmly in position, commit to something. This phrase often occurs as , as in She felt she was locked in a binding agreement , or Many of the stockholders are locked into their present positions . [Mid-1900s]
Etymology
Origin of lock-in
First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of verb phrase lock in
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.
See Examples For:
Some of the deals available to people willing to lock-in their savings for fixed period are at their highest for nearly two years.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
Meanwhile, Apple will continue to be absurdly profitable thanks to a level of customer lock-in that means a typical user is today on his sixth iPhone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026
Six in 10 agents said the lock-in effect is playing a major or moderate role in listing decisions.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
Still, the results of the Coldwell Banker survey of more than 700 agents, conducted from late March to early April, are another sign that the lock-in effect is loosening.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
“Here to present our official library lock-in rules,” said Dr. Zinchenko, “is Mrs. Gail Tobin, head librarian of the Alexandriaville Public Library back in the 1960s, when Mr. Lemoncello was your age.”
From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein
For those of us who stay ready for the Kate Wyler 2028 campaign, it’s time to lock in.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
If you are really, really skeptical of the Fed, a few insurance companies even offer income annuities that lock in an annual increase of 5%.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026
"This year I'll be like 'no, lock in, lock in!'"
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Meanwhile, Texas has 20 different media markets, placing less pressure on outside groups to commit money early and lock in rates, one national GOP strategist told the Tribune.
From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026
When I hit the red button, the letter A lights up on the screen in front of me to lock in the answer.
From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
