locker
Americannoun
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lockers
plural
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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.
See Examples For:
Mr. Winfield, by then playing for the California Angels, issued a terse statement in front of his locker: “I’m vindicated.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
The latter seemingly bought into some of the era’s storylines and ringside magic, believing that a rousing speech to the wrestlers in the locker room would convince them to strike.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
That has left a big hole on the ice and in the locker room, where Kopitar’s leadership was invaluable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
Yes, he can come across as cocky, but he's well grounded, not just by Richter, but by having his oldest brother there in the locker room with him.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
After what felt like forever, the houselights went down and an announcer’s voice boomed through the auditorium, introducing the two fighters, who entered the arena from the locker rooms on opposite sides.
From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen
She and her husband paid for one for 15 years; now she sees storage lockers as a form of downsizing procrastination.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
To avoid bear encounters, Fish and Wildlife recommends removing unsecured food from cars and tents, using bear-resistant food canisters or bear lockers, and regularly disposing trash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026
Entry is through a metal detector, and bags must be put in the cloakroom or in lockers, and there are more security guards.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
“Most lockers in America are metal, and they make a huge amount of noise.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
In one hall, they had to zig and zag to opposite sides and sidle along the lockers to avoid the security cameras.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
