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a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.
a contrivance for fastening or securing something.
(in a firearm)
the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.
safety (def. 4).
any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.
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.
an air lock or decompression chamber.
complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold: The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.
Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing: He's a lock to win the championship.
Wrestling. any of various holds, especially a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head: leg lock.
Horology. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.
Metalworking. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.
verb (used with object)
to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.
to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.
to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock: He locked the steering wheel on his car.
to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts: to lock the wheels of a wagon.
to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining: to lock arms.
to hold fast in an embrace: She was locked in his arms.
to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often followed by through, in, out, down, or up).
to furnish with locks, as a canal.
verb (used without object)
to become locked: This door locks with a key.
to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked: gears that lock into place.
to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.
to construct locks in waterways.
Verb Phrases
lock in,
to commit unalterably: to lock in the nomination of the party's candidates.
(of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities.
lock off,to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.
lock on,to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.
lock out,
to keep out by or as if by a lock.
to subject (employees) to a lockout.
lock up,
to imprison for a crime.
Printing.to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoins.
to fasten or secure with a lock or locks.
to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etc.
to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts.
Idioms for lock
lock horns, to come into conflict; clash: to lock horns with a political opponent.
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.
under lock and key, securely locked up: The documents were under lock and key.
Origin of lock
1
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
In many ways, she seems a lock for the win, but her atheism puts her entire character in question.
The Good Wife’s Religion Politics: Voters Have No Faith in Alicia's Atheism|Regina Lizik|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Host and guest pop and lock on cardboard—the only proper surface for breakdancing—and in no way did they have dancing doubles.
Breakdancing Brad Pitt, Chainsaw Massacre Prank, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To lock them in as customers—and draw in more Americans who rely on government aid—Walmart wants to be their bank, too.
The People Vs. the Bank of Walmart|James Poulos|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Inserting my key into the lock, I had just cracked the door open when a face appeared in the window.
Inside a Hospital for the Criminally Insane|Caitlin Dickson|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead of a lock and key, you get “strong encryption to protect evidence data in transit and at rest.”
Your Arrest Video Is Going Online. Who Will See It?|Jacob Siegel|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it won't be much use unless you can carry me upstairs and lock me in my room.
Mr. Prohack|E. Arnold Bennett
This process is termed the retinaculum, and serves, in conjunction with the frenulum, to lock the wings together during flight.
New Zealand Moths and Butterflies|G. V. Hudson
But he is most excellent company, that man, and I want him to come and see me at my Lock, up the river.'
Our Mutual Friend|Charles Dickens
So Devil go an' lock up the gal in a bar, an' lef' the old lady to watch if the gal is going to get 'way.
Jamaican Song and Story|Walter Jekyll
Presently Mr. Grey's measured tread was heard coming up stairs, and next his hand was on the lock.
Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII. No. 5. May 1848|Various
British Dictionary definitions for lock (1 of 2)
lock1
/ (lɒk) /
noun
a device fitted to a gate, door, drawer, lid, etc, to keep it firmly closed and often to prevent access by unauthorized persons
a similar device attached to a machine, vehicle, etc, to prevent use by unauthorized personsa steering lock
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
(as modifier)a lock gate
the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts
Britishthe extent to which a vehicle's front wheels will turn to the right or leftthis car has a good lock
a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun
US and Canadianinformala person or thing that is certain to win or to succeedshe is a lock for the Academy Award
lock, stock, and barrelcompletely; entirely
any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of his opponent's body and twists it or otherwise exerts pressure upon it
Also called: lock forwardrugbyeither of two players who make up the second line of the scrum and apply weight to the forwards in the front line
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, etcan air lock
verb
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
(tr)to secure (a building) by locking all doors, windows, etc
to fix or become fixed together securely or inextricably
to become or cause to become rigid or immovablethe front wheels of the car locked
(when tr, often passive)to clasp or entangle (someone or each other) in a struggle or embrace
(tr)to furnish (a canal) with locks
(tr)to move (a vessel) through a system of locks
lock horns(esp of two equally matched opponents) to become engaged in argument or battle
lock the stable door after the horse has boltedorlock the stable door after the horse has been stolento take precautions after harm has been done
See also lock on to, lock out, lock up
Derived forms of lock
lockable, adjective
Word Origin for lock
Old English loc; related to Old Norse lok
British Dictionary definitions for lock (2 of 2)
lock2
/ (lɒk) /
noun
a strand, curl, or cluster of hair
a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc
(plural)mainlyliteraryhair, esp when curly or fine
Word Origin for lock
Old English loc; related to Old Frisian lok, Old Norse lokkr lock of wool