dreadlock

noun

dread·​lock ˈdred-ˌläk How to pronounce dreadlock (audio)
plural dreadlocks
Synonyms of dreadlocknext
1
: a narrow ropelike strand of hair formed by matting, braiding, or twisting : lock
2
dreadlocks ˈdred-ˌläks How to pronounce dreadlock (audio) plural : a hairstyle consisting of dreadlocks : locks
dreadlocked
ˈdred-ˌläkt How to pronounce dreadlock (audio)
adjective

Examples of dreadlock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Police describe the victim as a Black woman between 20 and 22 years old, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 140 pounds with black and blue dreadlocks or braids. — Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025 With his dreadlocks flowing down his back, the defender weaved through a series of challenges before slipping the ball into the box with the outside of his right boot on both occasions. — Jay Harris, The Athletic, 21 July 2024 So no, Shane Gillis being hired and then fired in 2019 before ever taking the Studio 8H stage didn’t make the cut, but Adrien Brody’s bizarre dreadlocks definitely did. — Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025 Moody, wearing dreadlocks and a contagious smile, can’t stop scoring, averaging 32.7 points per game. — Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dreadlock

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dreadlock was in 1960

Rhymes for dreadlock

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dreadlock
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Cite this Entry

“Dreadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreadlock. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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