Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense locks, present participle locking, past tense, past participle locked
1. verb
When you lock something such as a door, drawer, or case, you fasten it, usually with a key, so that other people cannot open it.
Are you sure you locked the front door? [VERB noun]
Wolfgang moved along the corridor towards the locked door at the end. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: fasten, close, secure, shut More Synonyms of lock
2. countable noun
The lock on something such as a door or a drawer is the device which is used to keep it shut and prevent other people from opening it. Locks are opened with a key.
At that moment he heard Gill's key turning in the lock of the door. [+ of]
An intruder forced open a lock on French windows at the house.
Synonyms: fastening, catch, bolt, clasp More Synonyms of lock
3. verb
If you lock something or someone in a place, room, or container, you put them there and fastenthe lock.
Her maid locked the case in the safe. [V n + in/into]
They beat them up and locked them in a cell. [V n + in/into]
4. verb
If you lock something in a particular position or if it lock there, it is held or fitted firmly in that position.
He leaned back in the swivel chair and locked his fingers behind his head. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
There was a whine of hydraulics as the undercarriage locked into position. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: unite, join, link, engage More Synonyms of lock
5. countable noun
On a canal or river, a lock is a place where walls have been built with gates at each end so that boats can moveto a higher or lower section of the canal or river, by gradually changing the water level inside the gates.
6. countable noun
A lockof hair is a small bunch of hairs on your head that grow together and curl or curve in the same direction.
She brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. [+ of]
Synonyms: strand, curl, tuft, tress More Synonyms of lock
7. plural noun [usually supplement NOUN]
Your locks are your hair.
[literary]
...women with long, wavy locks.
8.
See under lock and key
9. lock, stock, and barrel
Phrasal verbs:
See lock away
See lock in
See lock out
See lock up
More Synonyms of lock
lock in British English1
(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 unauthorizedpersons
a steering lock
3.
a.
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 throughit
b.
(as modifier)
a lock gate
4.
the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts
5. British
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. US and Canadian informal
a person or thing that is certain to win or to succeed
she is a lock for the Academy Award
8. lock, stock, and barrel
9.
any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of an 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
12.
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
13. (transitive)
to secure (a building) by locking all doors, windows, etc
14.
to fix or become fixed together securely or inextricably
15.
to become or cause to become rigid or immovable
the front wheels of the car locked
16. (when tr, often passive)
to clasp or entangle (someone or each other) in a struggle or embrace
17. (transitive)
to furnish (a canal) with locks
18. (transitive)
to move (a vessel) through a system of locks
19. lock horns
20. lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
Derived forms
lockable (ˈlockable)
adjective
Word origin
Old English loc; related to Old Norse lok
lock in British English2
(lɒk)
noun
1.
a strand, curl, or cluster of hair
2.
a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc
3. (plural) mainly literary
hair, esp when curly or fine
Word origin
Old English loc; related to Old Frisian lok, Old Norse lokkr lock of wool
lock in American English1
(lɑk)
noun
1.
a mechanical device furnished with a bolt and, usually, a spring, for fastening a door, strongbox, etc. by means of a key or combination
2.
anything that fastens something else and prevents it from opening, turning, etc.
3.
a locking together; jam
4.
an enclosed part of a canal, waterway, etc. equipped with gates so that the level of the water can be changed to raise or lower boatsfrom one level to another
5.
the mechanism of a firearm used to explode the ammunition charge; gunlock
6.
air lock (sense 1)
7. Slang
a certainty; sure thing
our team is a lock to win the title
8. Wrestling
a hold in which a part of the opponent's body is firmly gripped
armlock
verb transitive
9.
to fasten (a door, trunk, etc.) by means of a lock
10.
to keep from going in or out; shut (up, in or out); confine
locked in jail
11.
to fit closely; link; intertwine
to lock arms
12.
to embrace tightly
13.
to jam or force together so as to make immovable
locked gears, locked brakes
14.
to put in a fixed position
a throttle locked in the idle position
15. US
to equip (a canal, etc.) with a lock or locks
16.
to move or pass (a ship) through a lock
17. Printing
to fasten (type elements) in a chase or on the bed of a press by means of quoins
often with up
verb intransitive
18.
to become locked
19.
to be capable of being locked
20.
to intertwine or interlock; link together
21.
to close tightly and firmly
his jaws locked
22.
to jam, as gears
23.
to pass through the locks of a canal
Idioms:
have a lock on
lock away
lock on
lock out
lock, stock, and barrel
lock up
under lock and key
Word origin
ME < OE loc, a bolt, bar, enclosure, prison, akin to Ger loch, a hole, ON lok, a lid, prob. < IE base *leug-, to bend > Gr lygos, supple twig, L luctȧri, to struggle
lock in American English2
(lɑk)
noun
1.
a curl, tress, or ringlet of hair
2. [pl.]; OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic
the hair of the head
3.
a tuft of wool, cotton, etc.
Word origin
ME lokke < OE loc (akin to Ger locke): basic sense “a bend, twist”: IE base as in lock1
lock in Automotive Engineering1
(lɒk)
Word forms: (regular plural) locks
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Bodywork, controls, and accessories)
The lock on a vehicle door is the device which is used to keep it shut and prevent other peoplefrom opening it. Locks are opened with a key.
She approached the car and put her key in the lock.
He tried to open the car door, but the lock had jammed.
She went to open the car door but the key didn't fit in the lock.
lock in Automotive Engineering2
(lɒk)
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Brakes, steering, wheels, tires, and suspension)
Lock is the angle of rotation of steered wheels about the steering axis.
COLLOCATIONS: full ~
On a level field, it may be possible to rely entirely on a fixed steered-wheel lock to keep the tractor on course.
At low speeds and full lock of the wheel left or right the front end of the vehicle jumps.
A regular clunking noise was made with every rotation of the wheel but only on fullor partial lock.
lock in Automotive Engineering3
(lɒk)
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Brakes, steering, wheels, tires, and suspension)
Lock is the maximum angle to which steered wheels can be turned.
COLLOCATIONS: ~ to ~
Listen for a clicking noise from the front wheels when the steering is turned onfull lock.
On manual steering cars, turn the steering from lock to lock at least five times to settle the steering components.
A slack steering box can be remedied by decreasing the lock of the wheel.
lock in Automotive Engineering4
(lɒk)
Word forms: (present) locks, (past) locked, (perfect) locked, (progressive) locking
verb
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Bodywork, controls, and accessories)
When you lock a vehicle door, you fasten it with a key so that other people cannot open it.
COLLOCATIONS: ~ the door
He slammed the car door shut and locked it.
Check that all the doors on the car are locked.
You can help prevent auto theft by always locking your car door.
lock in Hospitality
(lɒk)
Word forms: (regular plural) locks
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Hotel room, bedroom)
The lock on something such as a door or a drawer is the device which is used to keep it shutand prevent other people from opening it. Locks are opened with a key.
The lock to her room did not work.
I inserted the key in the lock of room number nine.
Many of the rooms have small safes with locks.
More idioms containing
lock
lock horns
COBUILD Collocations
lock
change the locks
fit a lock
window lock
Examples of 'lock' in a sentence
lock
Scarlets ended with a back having to replace a lock.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We went into the aquarium and they locked the doors.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Companies that have locked down systems configurations in the past will find this process easier.
Computing (2010)
This time they need to be under lock and key.
The Sun (2016)
The 18billion cost of building will lock us into what looks like highly expensive electricity for decades.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If the wheels lock, the car will slide.
The Sun (2017)
If you go alpine skiing your boots lock you into position and you can't move.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The makers say no: once people arrive at their row they can lock the seats back into place.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The church building would be locked and the offices closed.
Christianity Today (2000)
They then locked the doors and went to bed.
Max Arthur Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 19011910 in the words of the Men & Women Who WereThere (2006)
Too many angels have ended up locked into illiquid investments in the past.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This lowers the whole car still further and locks the big back wing down.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You therefore need to be careful about how long you lock your money away for.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They were immensely knowledgeable about the system and the system locked them into poverty.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Usually a lock of hair is asked for.
Mumby, Keith The Allergy Handbook (1988)
You had a key and you locked the door.
Stanko, Elizabeth Everyday Violence (1990)
We have become locked into doing process and utterly rubbish at doing humanity.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They are free to be moved and locked at any position along the beam.
Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)
We have also been working it into the scalp to make our locks grow extra lush.
The Sun (2014)
Last night he was locked in talks over the move.
The Sun (2009)
But the building was locked and there was not a teacher in sight.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The front door was open but the three inside doors were locked.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The car was locked and the small bags were hidden underneath the driver and front passenger seat.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
These two natural entertainers ended up locked in a classic.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The conundrum at lock and back row is hard.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Derry has also chopped off his famous long locks.
The Sun (2006)
It automatically closes the windows and fresh air vents and engages the central locking system.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It also fully protects your tablet from damage in an accident as it's locked firmly in place.
The Sun (2016)
The door was flung to behind them, and they heard it locked and bolted and barred against them.
George MacDonald The Princess and the Curdie (1883)
SHE opts for her fave designer again, first with headgear and then with signature wavy locks.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
lock
British English: lock /lɒk/ NOUN
on door The lock on something such as a door is the device which fastens it when you turn a key in it.
He heard a key turning in the lock.
American English: lock door
Arabic: قِفْلٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: fechadura
Chinese: 锁
Croatian: brava
Czech: zámek dveře
Danish: lås
Dutch: slot van deur
European Spanish: cerradura
Finnish: lukko
French: verrou
German: Schloss Tür
Greek: κλειδαριά
Italian: serratura
Japanese: 錠 door
Korean: 자물쇠
Norwegian: lås
Polish: zamek klucze
European Portuguese: fechadura
Romanian: broascăde la ușă
Russian: замок запорное устройство
Latin American Spanish: cerradura
Swedish: lås
Thai: กุญแจ
Turkish: kilit
Ukrainian: замок
Vietnamese: khóa cửa
British English: lock /lɒk/ NOUN
hair A lock of hair is a small bunch of hairs on your head that grow together in the same direction.
American English: lock hair
Arabic: خُصْلَةٌ مِنَ الْشَعْرِ
Brazilian Portuguese: cacho cabelo
Chinese: 一束头发
Croatian: uvojak
Czech: lokna
Danish: lok
Dutch: lok van haar
European Spanish: mechón
Finnish: hiuskiehkura
French: mèche
German: Locke
Greek: τούφα μαλλιά
Italian: ciocca
Japanese: 髪のふさ hair
Korean: 머리타래
Norwegian: hårlokk
Polish: kędzior
European Portuguese: cacho cabelo
Romanian: șuviță
Russian: локон
Latin American Spanish: mechón
Swedish: lock hårlock
Thai: ปอยผม hair
Turkish: bukle saç
Ukrainian: локон
Vietnamese: mớ tóc
British English: lock /lɒk/ VERB
When you lock something, you fasten it by means of a key.