1
a
: a fastening (as for a door) operated by a key or a combination
b
: the mechanism for exploding the charge or cartridge of a firearm
2
a
: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level
b
: air lock
3
a
: a locking or fastening together
b
: an intricate mass of objects impeding each other (as in a traffic jam)
c
: a hold in wrestling secured on one part of the body
broadly
: a controlling hold
his paper … had a lock on a large part of the state —
John Corry
John Corry 4
: one that is assured of success or favorable outcome
locked; locking; locks
1
a
: to fasten the lock of
b
: to make fast with or as if with a lock
lock up the house
2
a
: to fasten in or out or to make secure or inaccessible by or as if by means of locks
locked himself away from the curious world
b
: to fix in a particular situation or method of operation
a team firmly locked in last place
3
a
: to make fast, motionless, or inflexible especially by the interlacing or interlocking of parts
lock wheels
lock a knee
b
: to hold in a close embrace
c
: to grapple in combat
also
: to bind closely
administration and students were locked in conflict
4
: to invest (capital) without assurance of easy convertibility into money
5
: to move or permit to pass (something, such as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock
1
a
: to become locked
b
: to be capable of being locked
3
: to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)
1
b
locks plural
: the hair of the head
… if your locks are lank, … skip the conditioner.—Parenting
Parenting
c(1)
often loc plural locs
: a narrow ropelike strand of hair formed by matting, braiding, or twisting : dreadlock sense 1
According to Brooklyn stylist Derrick Scurry, there are several ways to save your dreadlock. For locks broken at the root, wait for hair to grow long enough to braid. Then have your stylist attach the lost lock to the braid with thread so you can't tell where the braid ends and where the lock begins.—Essence
EssenceIf palm rolling and twisting seem similar, it's because they are. But instead of twisting with your fingers to create a loc, you roll the section of hair between your palms, a technique that helps give more control over the size and shape of the loc.—Sami Roberts
Sami Roberts
(2)
locs or locks plural
: a hairstyle consisting of locks : dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, dreads, locks, locs—whatever your term of choice for them may be …—Taylor Bryant
Taylor BryantSome people simply stop combing through their hair in order to form "freeform" locs, which tend to vary greatly in size. Many others prefer a more cultivated look, with neat, even partings throughout, and a uniform size to each unit.—Del Sandeen
Del SandeenThe CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, which was introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), prohibits denying employment or educational opportunities to a person based on their hairstyle or texture. The law includes styles such as locs, cornrows, … and Afros.—Angela Johnson
Angela JohnsonFor Michael Calhoun of DeKalb, his locks are more than just a hairstyle. "It's a way of life," he said. Calhoun … said the preferred term for his chosen style the past decade isn't dreadlocks, it's "locks" because dread carries a negative connotation.—Katie Finlon
Katie Finlon2
: a cohering bunch (as of wool, cotton, or flax) : tuft
variant spelling of loc entry 2
: to form into dreadlocks
Let's face it: The process of waiting for your hair to loc can be both lengthy and frustrating.—Del Sandeen
Del SandeenYou can choose to let the hair loc and then separate it. But you can also part the hair in advance to divide it into distinct sections.—Matt Sailor and Yves Jeffcoat
Matt Sailor and Yves JeffcoatChris Gilliam, 37, a 14-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department who began wearing locks last fall, was drawn to the style's symbolism. "If left to its own devices, our hair will lock. People, left to our own devices, maybe we will come together too," he says.—David France et al.
David France et al.… they use either braiding hair loc'd with your own hair or faux locs wrapped around your own hair.—Sami Roberts
Sami RobertsDeciding to lock your hair is a huge decision, not to mention permanent one.—LaParis Hawkins
LaParis HawkinsSynonyms
Examples of lock in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the governor is regarded as a lock for his party's presidential nomination
Verb (1)
They locked the door when they left and unlocked it when they returned.
She locked the bicycle to the railing with a chain.
He forgot to lock the car.
The car locks automatically when you start the engine.
The wheels locked and the car skidded off the road.
They were locked in each other's arms.
She locked her hands around the steering wheel.
The file is locked for editing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
First-time bettors can sign up through our links to lock in $200 in bonus bets with as little as $5 on any matchup, regardless of the odds or outcome.
—Tim Van Straten, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The collection bag, which needed to be emptied every 20 minutes or so, is held on with straps and two small locks, and was a cinch to get on and off.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lock 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The electronic differential adjusts the torque balance between the left and right rear wheels, going from fully open to fully locked (or vice-versa) in 135 milliseconds.
—Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
First-time bettors can sign up through our links to lock in $200 in bonus bets with as little as $5 on any matchup, regardless of the odds or outcome.
—Tim Van Straten, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
While nothing is guaranteed in sports, Mahomes throwing for a single yard on Monday Night Football is close to a lock.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The collection bag, which needed to be emptied every 20 minutes or so, is held on with straps and two small locks, and was a cinch to get on and off.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lock
Articles Related to lock
Dictionary Entries Near lock
Cite this Entry
“Lock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lock
1 of 3 noun1
: a small bunch of hair or fiber (as cotton or wool)
2
plural
: the hair of the head
lock
2 of 3 noun1
a
: a fastening (as for a door) in which a bolt is operated (as by a key)
b
: a device for exploding the charge or cartridge of a firearm
2
: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level
3
: a wrestling hold that prevents any movement of the part of the body that is being held
a leg lock
lock
3 of 3 verb1
: to fasten with or as if with a lock
lock up the house
the door locks from the inside
2
a
: to shut in or out or make secure by or as if by means of a lock
locked up my bike
locked in jail
b
: to make or become fast or motionless
pump the brake pedal to keep the wheels from locking
3
: to make fast by the linking of parts together
lock arms
Etymology
Noun
Old English locc "small bunch of hair"
Noun
Old English loc "fastener"
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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