headlock

noun

head·​lock ˈhed-ˌläk 

: a hold in which a wrestler encircles an opponent's head with one arm

Examples of headlock in a Sentence

He had me in a headlock.

Recent Examples on the Web

In that 2025 game, Cunningham chased down guard Jacy Sheldon, now a member of the Sky, on a breakaway and wound up applying a headlock to Sheldon in the ensuing dust-up. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Punk eventually tried to go for the GTS, but Rhodes wiggled out and caught Punk in a headlock. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Once inside, the filing claims, Obumseli maneuvered around Clenney, reached for the key-fob reader and appeared to put her in a headlock while trying to activate the elevator and gain access to the apartment. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026

Pimblett, who closed a +120 underdog, blocked a roundkick, shot in and quickly applied a front headlock to put Saint Denis to sleep for the win in 52 seconds. — W.g. Ramirez, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for headlock

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