lock on
verb
variants
or lock onto
locked on or locked onto; locking on or locking onto; locks on or locks onto
: to acquire (something, such as a target or signal) automatically using a sensor (such as radar)
Examples of lock on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Latinos make up about 37% of the electorate in Los Angeles, but polls conducted before the election suggested no single candidate had a lock on their votes.
—
Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The brand has a lock on practical and elegant wardrobe staples, like its best-selling Mongolian cashmere tee and jeans that fit like a dream.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Her eyes remained locked on the store's entrance.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 28 May 2026
If Andoni Iraola’s side did manage that, the two clubs would be locked on points, goal difference and goals scored — meaning head-to-head records would be considered next.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Footage released of attacks from the Ukrainian side confirms that the Hornet has an unusual user interface and seems able to lock on to targets from long range.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Or someone who prefers to put spot lock on or anchor up over a piece of structure.
—Chad Morgenthaler, Outdoor Life, 13 May 2026
Plus, the best products to revive your locks on the go.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
But 55-days into the war on Iran, energy traders are locked on every movement in the narrow passage, through which huge volumes of the world’s oil, gas, fuel and fertilizer used to flow.
—Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The brand has a lock on practical and elegant wardrobe staples, like its best-selling Mongolian cashmere tee and jeans that fit like a dream.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Her eyes remained locked on the store's entrance.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 28 May 2026
If Andoni Iraola’s side did manage that, the two clubs would be locked on points, goal difference and goals scored — meaning head-to-head records would be considered next.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Footage released of attacks from the Ukrainian side confirms that the Hornet has an unusual user interface and seems able to lock on to targets from long range.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Or someone who prefers to put spot lock on or anchor up over a piece of structure.
—Chad Morgenthaler, Outdoor Life, 13 May 2026
Plus, the best products to revive your locks on the go.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
But 55-days into the war on Iran, energy traders are locked on every movement in the narrow passage, through which huge volumes of the world’s oil, gas, fuel and fertilizer used to flow.
—Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lock on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock%20on. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
