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noun
1.
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a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.
2.
a contrivance for fastening or securing something.
3.

the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.
safety (def 4).

4.
any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.
5.
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.
6.
an air lock or decompression chamber.
7.
complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold:
The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.
8.
Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing:
He’s a lock to win the championship.
9.
Wrestling. any of various holds, especially a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head:
leg lock.
10.
Horology. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.
11.
Metalworking. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.
verb (used with object)
12.
to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.
13.
to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.
14.
to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock:
He locked the steering wheel on his car.
15.
to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts:
to lock the wheels of a wagon.
16.
to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining:
to lock arms.
17.
to hold fast in an embrace:
She was locked in his arms.
18.
to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often followed by through, in, out, down, or up).
19.
to furnish with locks, as a canal.
verb (used without object)
20.
to become locked:
This door locks with a key.
21.
to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked:
gears that lock into place.
22.
to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.
23.
to construct locks in waterways.
Verb phrases
24.
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.

25.
lock off, to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.
26.
lock on, to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.
27.
lock out,

to keep out by or as if by a lock.
to subject (employees) to a lockout.

28.
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
29.
lock horns, to come into conflict; clash:
to lock horns with a political opponent.
30.
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.
31.
under lock and key, securely locked up:
The documents were under lock and key.
noun
1.
a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair.
2.
locks.

the hair of the head.
short wool of inferior quality, as that obtained in small clumps from the legs.

3.
a small tuft or portion of wool, cotton, flax, etc.
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 unauthorized persons: a steering lock
3.

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

4.
the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts
5.
(Brit) 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 & 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, completely; entirely
9.
any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of his opponent’s body and twists it or otherwise exerts pressure upon it
10.
(rugby) Also called lock forward. 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 transitive, 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, (esp of two equally matched opponents) to become engaged in argument or battle
20.
lock the stable door after the horse has bolted, lock the stable door after the horse has been stolen, to take precautions after harm has been done
noun
1.
a strand, curl, or cluster of hair
2.
a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc
3.
(pl) (mainly literary) hair, esp when curly or fine
lock

verb

To be seemingly paralyzed and helpless; choke: He locked on Letterman (1990s+)

Related Terms

lockdown
lockdown

noun

The state of being grounded and denied privileges: can’t go to the mall; I’m on lockdown
A relationship in which one is controlled or confined by the other: wanted to go to the party, but his girl’s got him in lockdown

The Hebrews usually secured their doors by bars of wood or iron (Isa. 45:2; 1 Kings 4:3). These were the locks originally used, and were opened and shut by large keys applied through an opening in the outside (Judg. 3:24). (See KEY.) Lock of hair (Judg. 16:13, 19; Ezek. 8:3; Num. 6:5, etc.).

lock horns
lock in
lock out
lock the barn door after the horse has bolted
lock up