Lock Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 5, 2024
Lock means a device used for securing a door, container, or other objects, often opened with a key or combination. e.g., She turned the key to lock the door.
Table of Contents
Lock Definitions
A mechanism for securing a door, window, or container.
He forgot the combination to the lock on his locker.
To engage or become fixed in position.
The wheels lock into place when folded.
A piece of hair or a curl.
A lock of her hair fell gently over her face.
To fix or hold something in a specific position.
He couldn't lock the steering wheel.
To secure a computer or device to prevent unauthorized access.
Always lock your phone to protect your data.
A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing.
A section of a waterway, such as a canal, closed off with gates, in which vessels in transit are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section.
A mechanism in a firearm for exploding the charge.
An interlocking or entanglement of elements or parts.
(Sports) A hold in wrestling or self-defense that is secured on a part of an opponent's body.
A secure hold; control
The distributor has a lock on most of the market.
A sure thing; a certainty
His promotion is a lock.
A length or curl of hair; a tress.
Often locks The hair of the head.
A small wisp or tuft, as of wool or cotton.
To fasten the lock of
Close and lock a drawer.
To shut or make secure with or as if with locks
Locked the house.
To confine or exclude by or as if by means of a lock
Locked the dog in for the night.
Locked the criminal up in a cell.
To fix in place so that movement or escape is impossible; hold fast
The ship was locked in the ice through the winter. She felt that she had become locked into a binding agreement.
To sight and follow (a moving target) automatically
Locked the enemy fighter in the gun sights.
To aim (a weapon or other device) at a moving target so as to follow it automatically
"The pilot had locked his targeting radar on the slow-moving frigate" (Ed Magnuson).
To clasp or link firmly; intertwine or interlock
Locked arms and walked away.
To bind in close struggle or battle
The two dogs were locked in combat.
To equip (a waterway) with locks.
To pass (a vessel) through a lock.
To invest (funds) in such a way that they cannot easily be converted into cash.
To arrange or secure (an interest rate) for a loan.
To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.
To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.
To become fastened by or as if by means of a lock
The door locks automatically when shut.
To become entangled or jammed; interlock.
To become rigid or immobile
The mechanism tends to lock in cold weather.
To pass through a lock or locks in a waterway.
Something used for fastening, which can only be opened with a key or combination.
A mutex or other token restricting access to a resource.
A segment of a canal or other waterway enclosed by gates, used for raising and lowering boats between levels.
(gun mechanisms) The firing mechanism.
Complete control over a situation.
Something sure to be a success.
(rugby) A player in the scrum behind the front row, usually the tallest members of the team.
A fastening together or interlacing; a closing of one thing upon another; a state of being fixed or immovable.
A place impossible to get out of, as by a lock.
A device for keeping a wheel from turning.
A grapple in wrestling.
A tuft or length of hair, wool, etc.
A small quantity of straw etc.
A quantity of meal, the perquisite of a mill-servant.
(intransitive) To become fastened in place.
If you put the brakes on too hard, the wheels will lock.
(transitive) To fasten with a lock.
Remember to lock the door when you leave.
(intransitive) To be capable of becoming fastened in place.
This door locks with a key.
(transitive) To intertwine or dovetail.
With his hands locked behind his back
We locked arms and stepped out into the night.
To freeze one's body or a part thereof in place.
A pop and lock routine
To furnish (a canal) with locks.
To raise or lower (a boat) in a lock.
To seize (e.g. the sword arm of an antagonist) by turning one's left arm around it, to disarm them.
To modify (a thread) so that users cannot make new posts in it.
To prevent a page from being edited by other users.
Frequently-vandalized pages are generally locked to prevent further damage.
To play in the position of lock.
A tuft of hair; a flock or small quantity of wool, hay, or other like substance; a tress or ringlet of hair.
These gray locks, the pursuivants of death.
Anything that fastens; specifically, a fastening, as for a door, a lid, a trunk, a drawer, and the like, in which a bolt is moved by a key so as to hold or to release the thing fastened.
A fastening together or interlacing; a closing of one thing upon another; a state of being fixed or immovable.
Albemarle Street closed by a lock of carriages.
A place from which egress is prevented, as by a lock.
The barrier or works which confine the water of a stream or canal.
An inclosure in a canal with gates at each end, used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from one level to another; - called also lift lock.
That part or apparatus of a firearm by which the charge is exploded; as, a matchlock, flintlock, percussion lock, etc.
A device for keeping a wheel from turning.
A grapple in wrestling.
To fasten with a lock, or as with a lock; to make fast; to prevent free movement of; as, to lock a door, a carriage wheel, a river, etc.
To prevent ingress or access to, or exit from, by fastening the lock or locks of; - often with up; as, to lock or lock up, a house, jail, room, trunk. etc.
To fasten in or out, or to make secure by means of, or as with, locks; to confine, or to shut in or out - often with up; as, to lock one's self in a room; to lock up the prisoners; to lock up one's silver; to lock intruders out of the house; to lock money into a vault; to lock a child in one's arms; to lock a secret in one's breast.
To link together; to clasp closely; as, to lock arms.
To furnish with locks; also, to raise or lower (a boat) in a lock.
To seize, as the sword arm of an antagonist, by turning the left arm around it, to disarm him.
To become fast, as by means of a lock or by interlacing; as, the door locks close.
When it locked none might through it pass.
A fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
A strand or cluster of hair
A mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun
Enclosure consisting of a section of canal that can be closed to control the water level; used to raise or lower vessels that pass through it
A restraint incorporated into the ignition switch to prevent the use of a vehicle by persons who do not have the key
Any wrestling hold in which some part of the opponent's body is twisted or pressured
Fasten with a lock;
Lock the bike to the fence
Unlock the door
Keep engaged;
Engaged the gears
Become rigid or immoveable;
The therapist noticed that the patient's knees tended to lock in this exercise
Hold in a locking position;
He locked his hands around her neck
Become engaged or intermeshed with one another;
They were locked in embrace
Hold fast (in a certain state);
He was locked in a laughing fit
Place in a place where something cannot be removed or someone cannot escape;
The parents locked her daughter up for the weekend
She locked her jewels in the safe
Pass by means through a lock in a waterway
Build locks in order to facilitate the navigation of vessels
To secure or fasten something with a locking device.
Remember to lock your bike when you leave it.
A segment of a canal or river enclosed by gates, used for raising or lowering boats.
The boat passed through the lock smoothly.
To commit firmly to a course of action.
She decided to lock in her answer on the quiz show.
A grappling hold in wrestling or martial arts.
The wrestler applied a strong arm lock.
To interlace or entangle.
Their fingers lock together as they held hands.
Lock Snonyms
Bolt
A bar that slides into a socket to fasten a door or window.
She bolted the door before going to bed.
Clamp
To fasten with a device that holds things tightly together.
The carpenter clamped the two pieces of wood together.
Secure
To fix or attach something firmly so that it cannot be moved or removed.
She secured the bicycle to the railing with a lock.
Fasten
To close or join securely.
Fasten your seatbelts before the plane takes off.
Seal
To close an entrance or container so that nothing can enter or escape.
Seal the envelope before mailing it.
Clasp
A device with interlocking parts used for fastening things together.
She clasped her necklace around her neck.
Padlock
A detachable lock hanging by a pivoted hook on the object secured.
He used a padlock to secure the shed.
Latch
A device for holding a door or gate closed, typically operated by a bar that fits into a notch.
He closed the gate with a latch to prevent the dog from escaping.
Snib
A latch or bolt, especially one that is operated by a spring.
He snibbed the window shut.
Deadbolt
A lock bolt that is moved by turning a knob or key without the action of a spring.
The door was secured with a deadbolt for added safety.
Lock Idioms & Phrases
Lock step
Moving or working in perfect coordination.
The soldiers marched in lock step during the parade.
Lock eyes
To make and maintain eye contact, typically signifying a moment of understanding or challenge.
They locked eyes across the room, and instantly knew they were in agreement.
Under lock and key
Securely locked up or safely stored.
The valuable documents are kept under lock and key.
Lock lips
To kiss.
The couple locked lips as they were reunited.
Lock out
To prevent someone from entering a place by locking the door.
She was accidentally locked out of her house.
Lock horns
To get into an argument or conflict.
The two politicians locked horns over the new policy.
Lock in an agreement
To finalize or secure a deal.
The two companies locked in an agreement after months of negotiation.
Lock it in
To confirm or finalize a decision or agreement.
Once you decide on a date, lock it in so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Lock in profits
To secure or guarantee financial gains in a transaction.
The investor sold his shares to lock in profits.
Lock up tight
To secure something thoroughly.
Before leaving on vacation, they made sure to lock up the house tight.
Lock into place
To secure something firmly in a specific position.
The pieces of the puzzle locked into place, revealing the picture.
Lock and load
To prepare for an imminent action or confrontation (originally a military command).
The squad leader shouted, Lock and load! as they approached the battleground.
Lock away
To put something in a secure place, often to prevent access.
He decided to lock away his old journals to keep them private.
Lock onto
To focus on or target something with great attention.
The missile system was designed to lock onto heat signatures.
Lock the door against
To shut out or prevent something from affecting one.
She locked the door against her fears and moved forward with confidence.
A lock for
To be a certain or very likely winner in a competition or contest.
The star athlete was considered a lock for the gold medal.
Lock on
To fix one's attention or focus firmly onto something.
As soon as he heard the news, he locked on to the idea of making a change.
Lock one's heart away
To close oneself off emotionally, often after a painful experience.
After the breakup, she locked her heart away, vowing not to get hurt again.
Lock horns with fate
To challenge or confront destiny.
He was determined to lock horns with fate and overcome his difficult circumstances.
Lock of love
A symbolic padlock fastened by a couple to signify their love, typically on a bridge.
They attached a lock of love to the bridge's railing and threw away the key.
Lock Example Sentences
He taught her how to pick a lock.
The old lock on the chest was rusted and hard to open.
They heard the lock click as the door closed.
She used a key to lock the front door.
The lock on the river helps control the water flow.
She found a beautiful antique lock at the flea market.
Remember to lock your car in the parking lot.
The lock on the bike was very sturdy.
The lock on the window was broken.
The lock of hair was kept as a keepsake.
The lock on the diary kept his secrets safe.
After the meeting, she had to lock up the office.
He struggled to lock the heavy gate.
He used a combination lock for his gym locker.
The lock on the suitcase was set to 0-0-0.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called lock?
It is called "lock" from the Old English "loc," meaning a fastening device, derived from the Proto-Germanic "lukan," meaning to close or enclose.
How is lock used in a sentence?
Example: "Please lock the door when you leave."
What is a stressed syllable in lock?
The entire word "lock" is stressed as it is a single syllable.
What is the pronunciation of lock?
Lock is pronounced as /lɒk/.
What is the first form of lock?
The first form (present form) of "lock" as a verb is "lock."
How do we divide lock into syllables?
Since "lock" has only one syllable, it is not divided.
How many syllables are in lock?
There is one syllable in "lock."
What part of speech is lock?
"Lock" can be both a noun and a verb.
What is the root word of lock?
The root word of "lock" is the Old English "loc."
What is the opposite of lock?
The opposite of "lock" (verb) is "unlock" or "open."
What is the verb form of lock?
"Lock" itself is both a noun and a verb.
What is the second form of lock?
The second form (past simple form) of "lock" as a verb is "locked."
Which determiner is used with lock?
Determiners like "the," "a," or "this" can be used with "lock."
What is the plural form of lock?
The plural form is "locks."
Is lock a noun or adjective?
"Lock" is primarily a noun and can also be a verb. It is not an adjective.
Is lock an adverb?
No, "lock" is not an adverb.
Is lock a negative or positive word?
"Lock" is neutral; it is neither inherently negative nor positive.
Is lock a vowel or consonant?
The word "lock" starts with a consonant.
Is lock a countable noun?
Yes, "lock" is a countable noun.
Is lock a collective noun?
"Lock" is not typically used as a collective noun.
Is the word lock imperative?
"Lock" can be used in the imperative form, as in "Lock the door."
What is the singular form of lock?
The singular form is "lock."
Is lock an abstract noun?
"Lock" is a concrete noun, not an abstract noun.
Is the lock term a metaphor?
"Lock" can be used metaphorically in some contexts.
Is the word “lock” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, "lock" can be a direct object when used as a noun.
Which vowel is used before lock?
The vowel used before "lock" depends on the context of the sentence.
Which conjunction is used with lock?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used with "lock," depending on the sentence.
What is the third form of lock?
The third form (past participle form) of "lock" as a verb is "locked."
What is another term for lock?
Another term for "lock" (noun) is "latch" or "bolt," and for "lock" (verb), "secure."
Is the word lock Gerund?
The gerund form of "lock" is "locking."
Which preposition is used with lock?
Common prepositions used with "lock" include "on," "in," and "with."
Which article is used with lock?
Articles such as "the" or "a" can be used with "lock," depending on the context.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Term
Wattsecond Definition and Meaning
Next Term
Harsh Definition and MeaningAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
