lock

play

noun \ ˈläk \

Definition of lock

1 a :a tuft, tress, or ringlet of hair

b locks plural :the hair of the head

2 :a cohering bunch (as of wool, cotton, or flax) :tuft

3 locks plural :dreadlock 2

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

See Words from the same year

lock

noun

Definition 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

See Words from the same year

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

lock

verb

Definition of lock

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1 a :to become locked

b :to be capable of being locked

2 :interlace, interlock

3 :to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)

—

lockable

play \ˈlä-kə-bəl\ adjective

— 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)

See lock defined for English-language learners

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

verb

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

lock

play

noun \ ˈläk \

Definition of lock for Students

:a small bunch of hair or of fiber (as cotton or wool)

lock

noun

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

lock

verb

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

See words that rhyme with lock Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for 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

What made you want to look up lock? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

lock

Definition of lock

Read the Latest from M-W

Origin and Etymology of lock

lock

Definition of lock

Origin and Etymology of lock

Other Hardware Terms

lock

Definition of lock

lockable

Examples of lock in a Sentence

First Known Use of lock

LOCK Defined for English Language Learners

lock

Definition of lock for English Language Learners

LOCK Defined for Kids

lock

Definition of lock for Students

lock

Definition of lock for Students

lock

Definition of lock for Students

Learn More about lock

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

'Meat Sweats': The Cookout's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066