locker

American  

[lok-er] / ˈlɒk ər /

noun

• lockers
  plural

1. 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.

2. Nautical. a chest or compartment in which to stow things.

3. a refrigerated compartment, as in a locker plant, that may be rented for storing frozen foods.

4. a person or thing that locks.

5. Digital Technology. music locker.

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locker British  

/ ˈlɒkə /

noun

1. 1. a small compartment or drawer that may be locked, as one of several in a gymnasium, etc, for clothes and valuables

   2. ( as modifier )

      a locker room

2. a person or thing that locks

3. a refrigerated compartment for keeping frozen foods, esp one rented in an establishment

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locker Idioms  

1. see Davy Jones's locker.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lockers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of locker

First recorded in 1375–1425, locker is from the late Middle English word loker. See lock ¹, -er ¹

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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

See Examples For:

locker lockers

Right now the address is a trans child in a locker room.

From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026

"I feel very fortunate to have shared a locker room with you. I'm going to miss you so much."

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

In the locker room, the coach was fired up as he congratulated his players on a gritty victory over an NFC North rival that had entered the game undefeated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

“This has been, of all my experiences in 11 years, my favorite locker room by far,” Gorden said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

Quincy asks as we walk back to the locker room together.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

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

PopWheels, a New York startup, supplies and charges them at nearby fire-resistant lockers.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

Ever since the Tobias incident, I spent as little time as possible at the lockers.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee

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Related Words

• chest
• closet
• trunk

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