lock

¹

[lok]

noun

1. a device for securing a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.

2. a contrivance for fastening or securing something.

3. (in a firearm)

   1. the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.

   2. safety.

4. any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.

5. an enclosed chamber in a canal, dam, etc., with gates at each end, for raising or lowering vessels from one level to another by admitting or releasing water.

6. an air lock or decompression chamber.

7. complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold.

   The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.

8. Slang.,  someone or something certain of success; sure thing.

   He's a lock to win the championship.

9. Wrestling.,  any of various holds, especially a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head.

   leg lock.

10. Horology.,  (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.

11. Metalworking.,  a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.

2. to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.

3. to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock.

   He locked the steering wheel on his car.

4. to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts.

   to lock the wheels of a wagon.

5. to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining.

   to lock arms.

6. to hold fast in an embrace.

   She was locked in his arms.

7. to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often followed by through, in, out, down, orup ).

8. to furnish with locks, as a canal.

verb (used without object)

1. to become locked.

   This door locks with a key.

2. to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked.

   gears that lock into place.

3. to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.

4. to construct locks in waterways.

verb phrase

1. lock out

   1. to keep out by or as if by a lock.

   2. to subject (employees) to a lockout.

2. lock in

   1. to commit unalterably.

      to lock in the nomination of the party's candidates.

   2. (of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities.

3. lock up

   1. to imprison for a crime.

   2. Printing.,  to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoins.

   3. to fasten or secure with a lock or locks.

   4. to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etc.

   5. to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts.

4. lock on

   1. to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.

   2. (in a video game) to target and then maintain the focus of the game camera and the player’s weapon on a selected character or item, though the player character and the targeted character may both be in motion.

5. lock off,  to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.

lock

²

[lok]

noun

1. a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair.

2. locks,

   1. the hair of the head.

   2. short wool of inferior quality, as that obtained in small clumps from the legs.

3. a small tuft or portion of wool, cotton, flax, etc.

lock

¹

/ lɒk /

noun

1. a device fitted to a gate, door, drawer, lid, etc, to keep it firmly closed and often to prevent access by unauthorized persons

2. a similar device attached to a machine, vehicle, etc, to prevent use by unauthorized persons

   a steering lock

3. 1. a section of a canal or river that may be closed off by gates to control the water level and the raising and lowering of vessels that pass through it

   2. ( as modifier )

      a lock gate

4. the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts

5. the extent to which a vehicle's front wheels will turn to the right or left

   this car has a good lock

6. a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun

7. informal,  a person or thing that is certain to win or to succeed

   she is a lock for the Academy Award

8. completely; entirely

9. any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of his opponent's body and twists it or otherwise exerts pressure upon it

10. Also called: lock forward. rugby either of two players who make up the second line of the scrum and apply weight to the forwards in the front line

11. a gas bubble in a hydraulic system or a liquid bubble in a pneumatic system that stops or interferes with the fluid flow in a pipe, capillary, etc

    an air lock

verb

1. to fasten (a door, gate, etc) or (of a door, etc) to become fastened with a lock, bolt, etc, so as to prevent entry or exit

2. (tr) to secure (a building) by locking all doors, windows, etc

3. to fix or become fixed together securely or inextricably

4. to become or cause to become rigid or immovable

   the front wheels of the car locked

5. (when tr, often passive) to clasp or entangle (someone or each other) in a struggle or embrace

6. (tr) to furnish (a canal) with locks

7. (tr) to move (a vessel) through a system of locks

8. (esp of two equally matched opponents) to become engaged in argument or battle

9. to take precautions after harm has been done

lock

²

/ lɒk /

noun

1. a strand, curl, or cluster of hair

2. a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc

3. literary,  (plural) hair, esp when curly or fine

Other Word Forms

• lockable adjective
• lockless adjective
• self-locking adjective
• well-locked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lock¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English loc “fastening, bar”; cognate with Middle Low German lok, Old High German loh, Old Norse lok “a cover, lid,” Gothic -luk in usluk “opening”; akin to Old English lūcan “to shut”

Origin of lock²

before 900; Middle English locke, Old English locc lock of hair, cognate with Old Norse lokkr, Dutch lok curl, German Locke

Word History and Origins

Origin of lock¹

Old English loc; related to Old Norse lok

Origin of lock²

Old English loc; related to Old Frisian lok, Old Norse lokkr lock of wool

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lock, stock, and barrel, completely; entirely; including every part, item, or facet, no matter how small or insignificant.

   We bought the whole business, lock, stock, and barrel.

2. lock and load,

   1. to load a gun with ammunition and prepare to fire.

      At twelve years old, I had to lock and load to protect the herd from cattle rustlers.

   2. to ready oneself for action.

      Lock and load, gamers! The tournament starts in ten!

3. lock horns, to come into conflict; clash.

   to lock horns with a political opponent.

4. under lock and key, securely locked up.

   The documents were under lock and key.

More idioms and phrases containing lock

• under lock and key

Example Sentences

“The deals were all locked and loaded. Then, they did request to be introduced to Kawhi, and under the rules, we can introduce our sponsors to our athletes. We just can’t be involved.”

From Los Angeles Times

Deputies breached the locked door and found Bucur inside, along with a bed, lights, chargers, TV and other electronic equipment.

From Los Angeles Times

Otherwise, England will be tuning up and locking down selections.

From BBC

Russell ended the session parked on the grass beside the track before the Roggia chicane as a result of a power loss, which left him stuck in seventh gear with the rear wheels locked.

From BBC

Court documents related to the Great Train Robbery have been found inside a locked safe in a cellar.

From BBC

Related Words

• close 
• engage 
• join 
• press 
• seal 
• shut