lock

[ lok ]

/ lɒk /

noun

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a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.

a contrivance for fastening or securing something.

(in a firearm)

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

any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.

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.

an air lock or decompression chamber.

complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold: The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.

Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing: He's a lock to win the championship.

Wrestling. any of various holds, especially a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head: leg lock.

Horology. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.

Metalworking. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.

verb (used with object)

to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.

to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.

to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock: He locked the steering wheel on his car.

to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts: to lock the wheels of a wagon.

to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining: to lock arms.

to hold fast in an embrace: She was locked in his arms.

to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often followed by through, in, out, down, or up).

to furnish with locks, as a canal.

verb (used without object)

to become locked: This door locks with a key.

to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked: gears that lock into place.

to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.

to construct locks in waterways.

Verb Phrases

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.

lock off, to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.

lock on, to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.

lock out,

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

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 for lock

lock horns, to come into conflict; clash: to lock horns with a political opponent.

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.

under lock and key, securely locked up: The documents were under lock and key.

Origin of lock

before 900; Middle English; Old English loc fastening, bar; cognate with Middle Low German lok, Old High German loh, Old Norse lok a cover, lid, Gothic -luk in usluk opening; akin to Old English lūcan to shut

OTHER WORDS FROM lock

lock·less, adjective self-lock·ing, adjective well-locked, adjective

Words nearby lock

lochiometra, lochiometritis, lochiorrhea, lochus, loci, lock, lock bay, lock horns, lock in, lock nut, lock on to

British Dictionary definitions for under lock and key (1 of 2)

lock ¹

/ (lɒk) /

noun

a device fitted to a gate, door, drawer, lid, etc, to keep it firmly closed and often to prevent access by unauthorized persons

a similar device attached to a machine, vehicle, etc, to prevent use by unauthorized persons a steering lock

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

the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts

British the extent to which a vehicle's front wheels will turn to the right or left this car has a good lock

a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun

US and Canadian informal a person or thing that is certain to win or to succeed she is a lock for the Academy Award

lock, stock, and barrel completely; entirely

any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of his opponent's body and twists it or otherwise exerts pressure upon it

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

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

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

(tr) to secure (a building) by locking all doors, windows, etc

to fix or become fixed together securely or inextricably

to become or cause to become rigid or immovable the front wheels of the car locked

(when tr, often passive) to clasp or entangle (someone or each other) in a struggle or embrace

(tr) to furnish (a canal) with locks

(tr) to move (a vessel) through a system of locks

lock horns (esp of two equally matched opponents) to become engaged in argument or battle

lock the stable door after the horse has bolted or lock the stable door after the horse has been stolen to take precautions after harm has been done

Derived forms of lock

lockable, adjective

Word Origin for lock

Old English loc; related to Old Norse lok

British Dictionary definitions for under lock and key (2 of 2)

lock ²

/ (lɒk) /

noun

a strand, curl, or cluster of hair

a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc

(plural) mainly literary hair, esp when curly or fine

Word Origin for lock

Old English loc; related to Old Frisian lok, Old Norse lokkr lock of wool

Idioms and Phrases with under lock and key (1 of 2)

under lock and key

Securely locked up, as in He keeps the wine under lock and key. [First half of 1500s]

Idioms and Phrases with under lock and key (2 of 2)

lock

In addition to the idioms beginning with lock

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

also see:

under lock and key

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lock

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Idioms for lock

Origin of lock

OTHER WORDS FROM lock

Words nearby lock

British Dictionary definitions for under lock and key (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of lock

Word Origin for lock

British Dictionary definitions for under lock and key (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for lock

Idioms and Phrases with under lock and key (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with under lock and key (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lock

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Idioms for lock

Origin of lock

OTHER WORDS FROM lock

Words nearby lock

Words related to under lock and key

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for under lock and key (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of lock

Word Origin for lock

British Dictionary definitions for under lock and key (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for lock

Idioms and Phrases with under lock and key (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with under lock and key (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for under lock and key (1 of 2)