lockstep

noun

lock·​step ˈläk-ˌstep 

often attributive

1

: a mode of marching in step by a body of persons going one after another as closely as possible

2

: a standard method or procedure that is mindlessly adhered to or that minimizes individuality

Phrases

in lockstep

: in perfect or rigid often mindless conformity or unison

politicians marching in lockstep with the party line

Synonyms of lockstep

• routine
• grind

Examples of lockstep in a Sentence

followed the lockstep that had been in his family for generations: prep school, Ivy League university, job on Wall Street

Recent Examples on the Web

The selloff in Bitcoin has mirrored the fall in high-beta stocks, strengthening the case that crypto is now moving in lockstep with broader risk assets. —Denitsa Tsekova, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025

Walmart’s supply chain ambitions have come in lockstep with that of its top mass merchant rival, Target. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 20 Nov. 2025

Hieronimus loves to stay in lockstep with culture. —Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025

As colon and rectal cancers in young people are on the rise globally, especially in the United States, consumption of ultraprocessed foods has been in lockstep. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lockstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep

Kids Definition

lockstep

noun

lock·​step -ˌstep 

: a way of marching in step in which the marchers are very close one behind the other