lockjaw
noun
\
Definition of lockjaw
: an early symptom of tetanus characterized by spasm of the jaw muscles and inability to open the jaws also : tetanus
Examples of lockjaw in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Has this crazy weather given the fish lockjaw in your favorite area? — Todd Masson, NOLA.com, "Blasting speckled trout while shooting national TV show," 11 Apr. 2018 The website also includes signs once used to warn people of diseases such as whooping cough and a set of forceps used to force open the jaws of people with tetanus, or lockjaw. — Erin Blakemore, Washington Post, "A fascinating look at antibody-based technology. Really.," 29 Oct. 2017 The trout bite slowed last week, but that may have more to do with anglers still looking for where the fish are concentrated than a case of lockjaw. — Sacbee, sacbee.com, "Fishing report: Week of May 29," 30 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lockjaw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about lockjaw
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
A Word for What Ails You
A Word for What Ails You
We promise it won't hurt to click on this.
Dictionary Entries near lockjaw
Statistics for lockjaw
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for lockjaw
The first known use of lockjaw was in 1768
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for lockjaw
lockjaw
noun
\
Kids Definition of lockjaw
: tetanus
lockjaw
noun
\
Medical Definition of lockjaw
: an early symptom of tetanus characterized by spasm of the jaw muscles and inability to open the jaws also : tetanus sense 1a
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on lockjaw
What made you want to look up lockjaw? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
-
- Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
A mythological/etymological mashup!
Take the quiz -
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz -
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share lockjaw
Resources for lockjaw