interlock

[ verb in-ter-lok, in-ter-lok; noun in-ter-lok ]

/ verb ˌɪn tərˈlɒk, ˈɪn tərˌlɒk; noun ˈɪn tərˌlɒk /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR interlock ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to fit into each other, as parts of machinery, so that all action is synchronized.

to interweave or interlace, one with another: The branches of the trees interlock to form a natural archway.

Railroads. (of switches, signals, etc.) to operate together in a prearranged order.

verb (used with object)

to lock one with another.

to fit (parts) together to ensure coordinated action.

Railroads. to arrange (switches, signals, etc.) to effect a predetermined sequence of movement.

noun

the fact or condition of interlocking or of being interlocked.

the existence or an instance of an interlocking directorate.

a device for preventing a mechanism from being set in motion when another mechanism is in such a position that the two operating simultaneously might produce undesirable results.

Also called ignition interlock. a device or system that prevents an automotive engine from starting until the seat belt for any occupied front seat is fastened.

a stretch fabric made with a circular knitting machine having two alternating sets of long and short needles.

Movies. a device for synchronizing the action of a camera and sound recorder.

Origin of interlock

First recorded in 1625–35; inter- + lock¹

OTHER WORDS FROM interlock

in·ter·lock·er, noun un·in·ter·locked, adjective

Words nearby interlock

interlobular duct, interlobular emphysema, interlobular pleurisy, interlobular vein of kidney, interlobular vein of liver, interlock, interlocking directorate, interlocking directorates, interlocution, interlocutor, interlocutory

Example sentences from the Web for interlocking

If the book were a piece of music, it would be a sonata of interlocking monologues.

How Hitch & Amis Discovered Evil In My House |Peter Foges |September 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Rather, the culprit here is a variety of interlocking factors.

America’s Epidemic of Psychiatric Over-Diagnosis |Jesse Singal |June 21, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
As it turns out, there are multiple, interlocking answers which range from Sigmund Freud to the pharmaceutical industry.

America’s Depression Diagnoses Epidemic and How to Fix It |Jesse Singal |March 30, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The Canvas By Benjamin Stein Two interlocking narratives drive toward the heart of a mystery about memory and identity.

Hot Reads, Sept. 17, 2012: ‘Sutton,’ ‘The Canvas,’ ‘Ike’s Bluff’ |Nicholas Mancusi |September 16, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

International air travel is now a vast, interlocking system—and growing by the day.

2010's Unsafe Skies |Clive Irving |December 30, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Presently he clasped them in front of him, interlocking his fingers, one thumb meanwhile chasing another.

Abraham Lincoln, Volume 2 (of 2) |William H. Herndon
The pedicle can then be secured with a series of interlocking ligatures.

A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) |Various
The whole fabric of Chinese life was made up of interlocking patterns; the West, by destroying a part, tore the whole asunder.

Government in Republican China |Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger
The frame was simply two strong crotches set firmly in the ground at a distance of eight feet apart, and interlocking at top.

Woodcraft and Camping |George Washington Sears (Nessmuk)
She had sunk to a chair, and rocked there, her fingers locking and interlocking, her face a mask of pain unutterable.

The Sea-Hawk |Raphael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for interlocking

interlock

verb (ˌɪntəˈlɒk)

to join or be joined firmly, as by a mutual interconnection of parts

noun (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)

the act of interlocking or the state of being interlocked

a device, esp one operated electromechanically, used in a logic circuit or electrical safety system to prevent an activity being initiated unless preceded by certain events

a closely knitted fabric

adjective (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)

(of fabric) closely knitted

Derived forms of interlock

interlocker, noun

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

interlock

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of interlock

OTHER WORDS FROM interlock

Words nearby interlock

Example sentences from the Web for interlocking

British Dictionary definitions for interlocking

verb (ˌɪntəˈlɒk)

noun (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)

adjective (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)

Derived forms of interlock

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

interlock

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of interlock

OTHER WORDS FROM interlock

Words nearby interlock

Words related to interlocking

Example sentences from the Web for interlocking

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for interlocking

verb (ˌɪntəˈlɒk)

noun (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)

adjective (ˈɪntəˌlɒk)

Derived forms of interlock

British Dictionary definitions for interlocking