lock screen

noun

plural lock screens

: a graphical user interface displayed by a device (such as a computer or smartphone) that prevents access to most functions of the device until a certain action (such as swiping one's finger across the screen or entering a predetermined code) is performed

Speaking of locking your phone, Android typically shows notifications on your lock screen by default—which means the contents of messages you receive might be visible to anyone who looks at your device, even if they can't unlock it.

—JR Raphael

Examples of lock screen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The actor also made a post of his own on social media, sharing a screenshot of his lock screen, which featured a photo of Krakow with their dog, Willoughby. —Francesca Gariano, People.com, 24 June 2025

Remote Lock now includes a security challenge question to prevent unauthorized use, and one-time passwords will be hidden on the lock screen in higher-risk scenarios. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

Samsung apparently plans to roll Live Updates into its Now Bar that sits at the bottom of the lock screen, while OnePlus will integrate them into its existing Live Alerts system. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 10 June 2025

On the lock screen, the time adapts to the available space. —Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 10 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lock screen

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between