/ lɒk; NAmE lɑːk/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
to fasten sth with a lock; to be fastened with a lock :
[ vn ]
Did you lock the door?
[ v ]
This suitcase doesn't lock.
2.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to put sth in a safe place and lock it :
She locked her passport and money in the safe.
3.
lock (sth) (in / into / around, etc. sth) | lock (sth) (together) to become or make sth become fixed in one position and unable to move :
[ v ]
The brakes locked and the car skidded.
[ vn ]
He locked his helmet into position with a click.
4.
[ vn ] be locked in / into sth to be involved in a difficult situation, an argument, a disagreement, etc. :
The two sides are locked into a bitter dispute.
She felt locked in a loveless marriage.
5.
[ vn ] be locked together / in sth to be held very tightly by sb :
They were locked in a passionate embrace.
6.
[ vn ] ( computing ) to prevent computer data from being changed or looked at by sb without permission :
These files are locked to protect confidentiality.
•
IDIOMS
- lock horns (with sb) (over sth)
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- lock sb/sth away
- lock sb / yourself in ( ... )
- lock onto sth
- lock sb / yourself out (of sth)
- lock sb out
- lock up | lock sth up
- lock sb up / away
- lock sth up / away
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a device that keeps a door window, lid, etc. shut, usually needing a key to open it :
She turned the key in the lock.
—see also combination lock
2.
[ C ] a device with a key that prevents a vehicle or machine from being used :
a bicycle lock
a steering lock
3.
[ U ] a state in which the parts of a machine, etc. do not move
4.
[ U , sing. ] ( BrE ) ( on a car, etc. ) the amount that the front wheels can be turned in one direction or the other in order to turn the vehicle :
I had the steering wheel on full lock (= I had turned it as far as it would turn) .
5.
[ C ] a section of canal or river with a gate at either end, in which the water level can be changed so that boats can move from one level of the canal or river to another
6.
[ C ] a few hairs that hang or lie together on your head :
John brushed a lock of hair from his eyes.
7.
locks [ pl. ] ( literary ) a person's hair :
She shook her long, flowing locks.
8.
[ C ] ( in rugby ) a player in the second row of the scrum
9.
[ sing. ] a ~ (on sth) ( NAmE ) total control of sth :
One company had a virtual lock on all orange juice sales in the state.
—see also armlock , headlock
•
IDIOMS
- lock, stock and barrel
- (keep sth / put sth / be) under lock and key
—more at pick verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun senses 1 to 5 noun senses 8 to 9 Old English loc , of Germanic origin; related to German Loch hole.
noun senses 6 to 7 Old English locc , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lok , German Locke , possibly also to the verb lock .