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:
They reserved a slot, which included a photographer, storage locker and two drink tickets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Jaissle starts with win but not planning to 'smash locker room'
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
We ducked under a gate and surrounded Ernie as he headed to the locker room.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
The six-time Grand Slam winner retired to the locker room after Kostyuk broke her serve four times during a shambolic a 39-minute opening set, but looked much improved when she returned.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
I open my locker, and there it is, the world’s oldest phone.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
“Most lockers in America are metal, and they make a huge amount of noise.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
PopWheels, a New York startup, supplies and charges them at nearby fire-resistant lockers.
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
American Airlines, Delta and Southwest have all banned power banks from overhead lockers and restricted their use in-flight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
The area of LaGuardia by the public lockers, however, was a dead zone for security, either electronic or human.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
He took long strides to stand behind me, leaning against the lockers while I loosened my tie.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
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.
