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 Lost Screen Memorial featured 50 smartphones displaying the lock screen photo of a child whose life was lost due to the harmful effects of social media. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

The third lock screen security option available on this page is Remote Lock. —Reece Rogers, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025

She’s briefly pulled from her trance in the park when her shuffling is interrupted by a call from her mom, whose dog Leo is the lock screen on her phone. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025

Glance is known for custom lock screens for phones that show things like news and weather. —ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 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