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lockstep

noun, often attributive lock·step \ ˈläk-ˌstep \
|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of lockstep

1 : a mode of marching in step by a body of persons going one after another as closely as possible
2 : a standard method or procedure that is mindlessly adhered to or that minimizes individuality
— in lockstep
: in perfect or rigid often mindless conformity or unison
  • politicians marching in lockstep with the party line

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Examples of lockstep in a Sentence

  1. followed the lockstep that had been in his family for generations: prep school, Ivy League university, job on Wall Street

Recent Examples of lockstep from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lockstep.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lockstep

1787

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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LOCKSTEP Defined for English Language Learners

lockstep

noun

Definition of lockstep for English Language Learners

  • : a way of marching in which people follow each other very closely

Learn More about lockstep

  1. See words that rhyme with lockstep

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