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interlock

verb in·ter·lock \ ˌin-tər-ˈläk \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of interlock

intransitive verb

: to become locked together or interconnected

transitive verb

1 : to lock together : unite

2 : to connect so that the motion or operation of any part is constrained by another

See interlock defined for English-language learners

See interlock defined for kids

Examples of interlock in a Sentence

She interlocked her fingers with his.

Recent Examples of interlock from the Web

But always, the Jewish Museum conceives of art and religion as interlocking elements of a story of civilization, commendably open to new influences and new interpretations.

— New York Times, "22 Art Exhibitions to View in NYC This Weekend," 5 Apr. 2018
These arguments have become a vast, interlocking set of controversies that are impossible to separate from each other, because each is necessary to understand the other.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "The Roseanne revival, and the argument over how TV depicts Trump supporters, explained," 30 Mar. 2018
The boring bricks are interlocking with a precise surface finish, so two people could build the outer walls of a small house in a day or so.

— liz stinson, Curbed, "Elon Musk plans to make life-size Lego-like bricks from drilled earth," 28 Mar. 2018
The 1/8-inch-thick buckle has an interlocking three-tab closure that won’t bulge under fitted blouses or T-shirts.

— judi dash, latimes.com, "Fashionable, versatile and safe: what every traveler needs," 26 Mar. 2018
In Amasa, the TD Garden court was laid out and assembled to make sure the pieces interlocked correctly, then stained, sealed, and shipped up to Boston.

— mark dunphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Here’s a look at the NCAA Tournament court at TD Garden," 21 Mar. 2018
The bottle's label combines the American and British flags with an interlocking set of rings.

— emma baty, Cosmopolitan, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Officially Have Their Own Wedding Beer," 14 Mar. 2018
But there is limited or no public discourse about property taxes’ interlocking components: Clean and Green in rural communities and tax exempt properties in urbanized areas.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "HEADLINE TEST," 14 Mar. 2018
FieldTurf – but it's called EasyField and it consists of 4-by-5-foot interlocking pieces rather than one giant carpet.

— beth bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "Sullivan Arena adds artificial turf, books flag football games," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interlock.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of interlock

1632

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

2

interlock

noun in·ter·lock \ ˈin-tər-ˌläk \

Definition of interlock

1 : the quality, state, sense, or an instance of being interlocked

2 : an arrangement in which the operation of one part or mechanism automatically brings about or prevents the operation of another

a safety interlock

3 a : a stretchable fabric made on a circular knitting machine and consisting of two ribbed fabrics joined by interlocking

b : a garment made of interlock

Recent Examples of interlock from the Web

The bill introduced by Sen. Jim McClendon would require drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device after their first offense.

— ashley remkus, AL.com, "Huntsville home invasion slaying suspect captured in New Orleans," 7 Mar. 2018
Marla Hall was in Madison Tuesday at a news conference held by Mothers Against Drunk Driving in support of a bill to require ignition interlocks with in-car breathalyzers for all drunk drivers.

— jim stingl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stingl: Waiting for justice, victim's mom becomes an activist for tough drunken-driving laws," 23 Jan. 2018
In a tricolor ball nestled between the felines, for example, the energies of heaven (blue), earth (red) and humanity (yellow) interlock in perfect balance.

— lee lawrence, WSJ, "‘Dramatic Threads: Textiles of Asia’ Review: The Very Fabric of Asian Societies," 17 Mar. 2018
Alabama passed an ignition interlock bill in 2014 but didn't require it for offenders who enter pre-trial diversion.

— ashley remkus, AL.com, "Huntsville home invasion slaying suspect captured in New Orleans," 7 Mar. 2018
The industry has long supported technologies that keep impaired drivers off the road, such as alcohol sensor monitoring and ignition interlocks, said Ralph Blackman, FAAR's president and chief executive.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Why the liquor industry wants to get self-driving cars on the road," 13 Mar. 2018
Amazon advertises an interlock device for sale at $799.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "Worried about drunk kids driving? Install an interlock Breathalyzer in family car," 11 Mar. 2018
All interlock to create an optical illusion that makes my brain hurt (in a good way). 7.

— devon abelman, Allure, "13 Unexpected Ways to Wear Winged Eyeliner That Are Taking Over Instagram," 9 Mar. 2018
Ignition interlocks analyze drivers' breath and prevent cars from being started if alcohol is detected.

— ashley remkus, AL.com, "Huntsville home invasion slaying suspect captured in New Orleans," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interlock.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of interlock

1874

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

INTERLOCK Defined for English Language Learners

interlock

verb

Definition of interlock for English Language Learners

: to connect or lock (two or more things) together

INTERLOCK Defined for Kids

interlock

verb in·ter·lock \ ˌin-tər-ˈläk \

Definition of interlock for Students

interlocked; interlocking

: to connect or lock together

… she sat bowed, with her dirt-caked fingers idly interlocked in her lap …
—Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee

Law Dictionary

interlock

intransitive verb in·ter·lock \ ˌin-tər-ˈläk \

legal Definition of interlock

: to be or become mutually connected; also : to be consistent in regard to major elements

confessions that interlock

Learn More about interlock

See words that rhyme with interlock Spanish Central: Translation of interlock Nglish: Translation of interlock for Spanish speakers

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Examples: interlock in a Sentence