locker
Americannoun
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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.
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Nautical. a chest or compartment in which to stow things.
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a refrigerated compartment, as in a locker plant, that may be rented for storing frozen foods.
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a person or thing that locks.
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Digital Technology. music locker.
noun
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a small compartment or drawer that may be locked, as one of several in a gymnasium, etc, for clothes and valuables
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( as modifier )
a locker room
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a person or thing that locks
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a refrigerated compartment for keeping frozen foods, esp one rented in an establishment
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We use as little as possible," she said, standing at the locker room of a local sports field, which was turned into a temporary showering facility.
From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026
I'm always really surprised whenever I go to the locker room, I get a lot of questions about it.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026
Heather Watson had been following Murray's match on the television screens in the locker room while trying to focus on preparations for her own chance at a piece of history.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026
Obrokta had donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for a new baseball locker room and field turf, even though his son didn’t play the sport.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026
On my way to my locker, I stop at the mirror.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
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.
