First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1lock
noun \ˈläk\
Definition of LOCK
1
a : a tuft, tress, or ringlet of hair b plural : the hair of the head
2
: a cohering bunch (as of wool, cotton, or flax) : tuft
3
plural : dreadlock 2
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of LOCK
Middle English lok, from Old English locc; akin to Old High German loc lock, Greek lygos withe, Latin luxus dislocated
2lock
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 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
First Known Use: before 12th century
3lock
verb
: to fasten (something) with a lock
: to fasten the door, lid, etc., of (something) with a lock
: to become fastened with a lock
Full 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 (as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock
intransitive verb
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·able \ˈlä-kə-bəl\ adjective
— lock horns
: to come into conflict
— lock on or lock onto
: to acquire (as a target or signal) automatically using a sensor (as radar)
See lock defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LOCK
14th century
LOCKED Defined for Kids
1lock
noun \ˈläk\
Definition of LOCK for Kids
: a small bunch of hair or of fiber (as cotton or wool)
2lock
noun
Definition of LOCK for Kids
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
3lock
verb
lockedlock·ing
Definition of LOCK for Kids
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
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up lock? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).