lock

³lock

verb

Definition of LOCK

transitive verb

1

a : to fasten the lock of b : to make fast with or as if with a lock <lock up the house>

2

a : to fasten in or out or to make secure or inaccessible by or as if by means of locks <locked himself away from the curious world> b : to fix in a particular situation or method of operation <a team firmly locked in last place>

3

a : to make fast, motionless, or inflexible especially by the interlacing or interlocking of parts <lock wheels> <lock a knee> b : to hold in a close embrace c : to grapple in combat; also : to bind closely <administration and students were locked in conflict>

4

: to invest (capital) without assurance of easy convertibility into money

5

: to move or permit to pass (as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock

intransitive verb

1

a : to become locked b : to be capable of being locked

2

: interlace, interlock

3

: to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)

— lock·able \ˈlä-kə-bəl\ adjective

— lock horns

: to come into conflict

— lock on or lock onto

: to acquire (as a target or signal) automatically using a sensor (as radar)

Examples of LOCK

1. They locked the door when they left and unlocked it when they returned.
2. She locked the bicycle to the railing with a chain.
3. He forgot to lock the car.
4. The car locks automatically when you start the engine.
5. The wheels locked and the car skidded off the road.
6. They were locked in each other's arms.
7. She locked her hands around the steering wheel.
8. The file is locked for editing.

First Known Use of LOCK

14th century