Definition of lockjaw
: an early symptom of tetanus characterized by spasm of the jaw muscles and inability to open the jaws
also
: tetanus
Test Your Vocabulary
Challenging Words You Should Know
-
- Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share lockjaw
Time Traveler for lockjaw
The first known use of lockjaw was in 1768
See more words from the same year