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

At trial, State Attorney Robert Eagan gave a dramatic visual in his closing to account for the blood on Zeigler’s shirt by demonstrating how Zeigler supposedly held his father-in-law in a headlock and beat him with a crank. —Gail Hollenbeck, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025

Ryan put the 26-year-old Ventura in a headlock and started pummeling him. 1994: Chicago beat out San Antonio to host the 1996 Democratic National Convention. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

The trooper who pulled Kevin from the truck continued to hold him in a headlock, the video showed, as two other officers also struggled to get him on the ground. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025

All with a cast on his leg from a ruptured tendon, Chestnut put a protester in a headlock and dropped him to the ground. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025

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