lockstep

noun

lock·​step ˈläk-ˌstep 

often attributive

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

see also:

in lockstep

Synonyms of lockstep

• routine
• grind

Examples of lockstep in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This was a period in which policymakers were committed to an economic doctrine that saw employment and inflation moving in lockstep — that the only way to bring down inflation was to increase unemployment. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

That's because mortgage rates don't move in lockstep with the federal funds rate. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Oil and Treasury yields are moving in near lockstep, with the correlation at its strongest since 2019. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

And any dampened demand for popular tech risks further limiting innovation while seemingly working in lockstep with tariffs to slow AI adoption in the US, the letter warned. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lockstep

• in lockstep

Rhymes for lockstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep

Kids Definition

lockstep

noun

lock·​step -ˌstep 

: a way of marching in step in which the marchers are very close one behind the other