dreadlock

noun

dread·​lock ˈdred-ˌläk 

plural dreadlocks

1

: a narrow ropelike strand of hair formed by matting, braiding, or twisting : lock

2

dreadlocks ˈdred-ˌläks  plural : a hairstyle consisting of dreadlocks : locks

dreadlocked

ˈdred-ˌläkt 

adjective

Examples of dreadlock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The trooper grabs the man by his wrist and his dreadlocks and began yanking his upper body through the window, the video shows. — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026

Banks, styled with his then-signature blond dreadlocks, was shown on screens in the courtroom chasing and shooting an actor whom prosecutors say was portraying rival rapper Quando Rondo. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

The head drummer of the colonial fife and drum band was a Black man in a Revolutionary War costume, his dreadlocks peeking from under a powdered wig. — Catherine Simpson Bueker, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

The robber is a man between 19 and 30, standing about 5 feet 9 inches in height and weighing 140 to 160 pounds, with dreadlocks, police said. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dreadlock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk