Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense interlocks, present participle interlocking, past tense, past participle interlocked
1. verb
Things that interlock or are interlocked go between or through each other so that they are linked.
The parts interlock. [VERB]
Interlock your fingers behind your back. [VERB noun]
Joyce sits with her fingers interlocked under her chin. [VERB-ed]
...a series of interlocking rings. [VERB-ing]
[Also Vwith n]
Synonyms: interweave, intertwine, interlace, cross More Synonyms of interlock
2. verb
If systems, situations, or plans are interlocked or interlock, they are very closely connected.
The problems of the two countries were tightly interlocked. [beVERB-ed]
The tragedies begin to interlock. [VERB]
Your girlfriend's fear seems to interlock with your fear. [VERB + with]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: connect, unite, link, join More Synonyms of interlock
interlock in British English
verb (ˌɪntəˈlɒk)
1.
to join or be joined firmly, as by a mutual interconnection of parts
noun (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)
2.
the act of interlocking or the state of being interlocked
3.
a device, esp one operated electromechanically, used in a logic circuit or electrical safety system to prevent an activity being initiated unless preceded by certain events
4.
a closely knitted fabric
adjective (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)
5.
(of fabric) closely knitted
Derived forms
interlocker (ˈinterˌlocker)
noun
interlock in American English
(ˌɪntərˈlɑk; ˈɪntərˌlɑk; for n. ˈɪntərˌlɑk)
verb transitive, verb intransitive
1.
to lock together; join with one another
2.
to connect or be connected so that neither part can be operated independently
noun
3.
the condition of being interlocked
4.
a device or arrangement by means of which the functioning of one part is controlled by the functioning ofanother, as for safety
Examples of 'interlock' in a sentence
interlock
Sterling weakened this week for two interlocking reasons.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The bangle has three interlocking hoops that form a stunning ribbon of silver.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But it is no good pretending that just because you are watching a contest branded with five interlocking rings you are therefore watching great sport.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Although the exact design is being kept secret, the asymmetric steel structure is understood to resemble a cluster of interlocking fractured rings.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is understood to resemble a cluster of interlocking, fractured rings reminiscent of the Olympic logo.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The plan was to have a cross set inside the twin interlocking triangles of the Star of David.
Philip Marsden The Barefoot Emperor: An Ethiopian Tragedy (2007)
Where the puzzles overlap, the rows and columns do not go beyond their usual length but the interlocking boxes give you more clues - and more complexity!
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
interlock
British English: interlock VERB
Things that interlock or are interlocked go between or through each other so that they are linked.
The parts interlock.
American English: interlock
Brazilian Portuguese: entrelaçar-se
Chinese: 连结
European Spanish: entrelazarse
French: s'emboîter
German: ineinandergreifen
Italian: intrecciarsi
Japanese: 連結する
Korean: 서로 맞물리다
European Portuguese: entrelaçar-se
Latin American Spanish: entrelazarse
1 (verb)
Definition
to join or be joined firmly together
The parts interlock.
Synonyms
interweave
The programme successfully interweaves words and pictures.
intertwine
Trees and creepers intertwined, blocking our way.
interlace
cross
knit
broken bones that have failed to knit
braid
She had almost finished braiding Sita's hair.
intersperse
plait
entwine
I reached over and entwined our fingers.
twine
They twined their fingers together.
reticulate
interwreathe
2 (verb)
The tragedies begin to interlock.
Synonyms
connect
There is no evidence to connect him to the robberies.
I wouldn't have connected the two events if you hadn't said that.
unite
They have agreed to unite their efforts to bring peace.
link
the Channel Tunnel linking Britain and France
join
The opened link is used to join the two ends of the chain.
couple
relate
associate
We've got the idea of associating progress with the future.
combine
Disease and starvation are combining to kill thousands.
cohere
Additional synonyms
in the sense of associate
Definition
to connect in the mind
We've got the idea of associating progress with the future.