1
: enclosed or nearly enclosed by land
a landlocked country
2
: confined to fresh water by some barrier
landlocked salmon
3
: living or located away from the ocean
a landlocked sailor

Examples of landlocked in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ethiopia became landlocked when Eritrea gained independence in 1993. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 The country became landlocked when Eritrea became independent in 1993. — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 As a landlocked nation, Laos is very reliant on its neighbors, also including Thailand, for trade as well as investment. — Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Other landlocked countries, like Austria and Hungary, have none. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for landlocked

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of landlocked was in 1622

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Landlocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landlocked. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

landlocked

adjective
1
: enclosed or nearly enclosed by land
a landlocked country
2
: kept from leaving fresh water by some barrier
landlocked salmon
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