/lok"up'/ , n.
1. a jail, esp. a local one for temporary detention.
2. the act of locking up or the state of being locked up.
3. a temporary imprisonment or detention, as of suspects or prisoners.
4. a stock that has been held by an individual as a long-term investment, or that a brokerage firm is required by a regulation to hold for a certain period of time before it can be sold.
5. any investment or credit instrument, as a renewed loan, in which capital is tied up for a long time.
6. Print.
a. the entire body of type and cuts locked up in a chase preparatory to printing or platemaking.
b. the act or procedure of locking up type and cuts in a chase.
7. Auto. a sudden stopping of the rotation of a wheel.
8. Brit. Informal. a rented locker, storage space, or garage.
[ 1760-70; n. use of v. phrase lock up ]