dreadlock

noun

dread·​lock ˈdred-ˌläk How to pronounce dreadlock (audio)
plural dreadlocks
1
: a narrow ropelike strand of hair formed by matting, braiding, or twisting : lock
2
dreadlocks ˈdred-ˌläks How to pronounce dreadlock (audio) plural : a hairstyle consisting of dreadlocks : locks
dreadlocked adjective

Examples of dreadlock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The caller described the 38-year-old as a Caucasian with dreadlocks to authorities. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 13 Apr. 2024 While there was some initial controversy over the new adaptation casting a Black female actress with dreadlocks, overall the film was still just as appealing to fans young and old. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024 Jesus has been portrayed as Korean, a Black man with dreadlocks, as an indigenous Māori with a full-faced tattoo, and even as a Black woman. John Blake, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024 For most of the academic year, Barbers Hill High School junior Darryl George has been in in-school suspension or at an off-site disciplinary program because school officials said George’s dreadlocks violated the district’s dress code. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024 Darryl George's dreadlocks are braided and wrapped up on top of his head. Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 25 Jan. 2024 Rastafarians, though, are known primarily by many casual observers for two elements of their religion: dreadlocks and the smoking of marijuana. John Blake, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 One woman even set up a salon chair during the demonstration to style dreadlocks in a show of support. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024 Mayowa, the shy one, had a head scarf holding back all but a few of his dreadlocks. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dreadlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dreadlock was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near dreadlock

Cite this Entry

“Dreadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreadlock. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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