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Origin and Etymology of lock
Middle English lok, from Old English locc; akin to Old High German loc lock, Greek lygos withe, Latin luxus dislocated
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: before 12th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1a
See Words from the same yearDefinition of lock
1 a
: a fastening (as for a door) operated by a key or a combination
b
: the mechanism for exploding the charge or cartridge of a firearm
2 a
: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level
b
: air lock
3 a
: a locking or fastening together
b
: an intricate mass of objects impeding each other (as in a traffic jam)
c
: a hold in wrestling secured on one part of the body;
broadly
: a controlling hold
- his paper … had a lock on a large part of the state
- —John Corry
4
: one that is assured of success or favorable outcome
Origin and Etymology of lock
Middle English lok, from Old English loc; akin to Old High German loh enclosure and perhaps to Old English locc lock of hair
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: before 12th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1a
See Words from the same yearDefinition of lock
locked;
locking;
locks
1 a
: to fasten the lock of
b
: to make fast with or as if with a lock
- lock up the house
2 a
: to fasten in or out or to make secure or inaccessible by or as if by means of locks
- locked himself away from the curious world
b
: to fix in a particular situation or method of operation
- a team firmly locked in last place
3 a
: to make fast, motionless, or inflexible especially by the interlacing or interlocking of parts
- lock wheels
- lock a knee
b
: to hold in a close embrace
c
: to grapple in combat;
also
: to bind closely
- administration and students were locked in conflict
4
: to invest (capital) without assurance of easy convertibility into money
5
: to move or permit to pass (something, such as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock
1 a
: to become locked
b
: to be capable of being locked
3
: to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)
—
lock horns
: to come into conflict
—
lock on
or
lock onto
: to acquire (something, such as a target or signal) automatically using a sensor (such as radar)
Examples of lock in a Sentence
They locked the door when they left and unlocked it when they returned.
She locked the bicycle to the railing with a chain.
He forgot to lock the car.
The car locks automatically when you start the engine.
The wheels locked and the car skidded off the road.
They were locked in each other's arms.
She locked her hands around the steering wheel.
The file is locked for editing.
First Known Use of lock
14th century
LOCK Defined for English Language Learners
lock
Definition of lock for English Language Learners
-
: to fasten (something) with a lock
-
: to fasten the door, lid, etc., of (something) with a lock
-
: to become fastened with a lock
LOCK Defined for Kids
Definition of lock for Students
: a small bunch of hair or of fiber (as cotton or wool)
Definition of lock for Students
1
: a fastening (as for a door) in which a bolt is operated (as by a key)
2
: the device for exploding the charge or cartridge of a firearm
3
: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level
Definition of lock for Students
locked;
locking
1
: to fasten with or as if with a lock
2
: to shut in or out by or as if by means of a lock
3
: to make unable to move by linking parts together
The puzzle pieces were locked into place.
Learn More about lock
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See words that rhyme with lock Spanish Central: Translation of lock Nglish: Translation of lock for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lock for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lock
Seen and Heard
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