dreadlock

noun

dread·​lock ˈdred-ˌläk How to pronounce dreadlock (audio)
plural dreadlocks
Synonyms of dreadlocknext
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
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Martin is described as a Black male, about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing roughly 120 pounds, with untwisted dreadlocks. Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026 Riq Woolen’s goggles fit awkwardly on his head because of the dreadlocks. Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Hillbilly hippies with dreadlock beards buried safes in the woods containing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026 One suspect has dreadlocks and was wearing a black coat, a pink hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and black sneakers, and was carrying a red backpack at the time of the shooting. Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dreadlock

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dreadlock was in 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Dreadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreadlock. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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