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

Burke’s cellphone lock screen was a picture of the pair, topless, locked in an embrace, the detective said. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

The lock screen can use Windows Spotlight, which displays rotating images along with tips, tricks and notifications. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

On most days since, Wilson’s lock screen on his phone has been set to a still shot of his stroll off North Carolina’s bus to play Duke, one of the final games of his college career. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Good Lock is Samsung’s official app for deep customisation, lock screens, themes, gestures, and more, and LockStar is the module specifically for lock screen and always-on display tinkering. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lock screen

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