🔒 To secure 🔒 A security device 🦵 To become rigid 💇 A hair curl 🚢 To use a water gate 🚢 A water gate 🤼 A wrestling hold

lock

523 1.0

A device that holds doors or containers closed with a key

noun
/lɑk/

: cerradura

Please make sure to secure the door with the lock before leaving the house.
a door lock
lock and key
locks to protect

And then you seal the zip lock baggie just like that.

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Examples

As I walked down the front steps, I could hear the locks slowly closing behind me.

Fiction book (1990)
We've got the August smart lock on here that I put on myself.
And so if only the lock could meet the key.
- This is the, uh, safety lock, sir.

Straw Dogs (1971)
And then I got a new suitcase lock on it.
It's got one of those facial recognition locks on it.

Knox Goes Away (2024)
After some rattling, we hear the lock spring, then the door swinging open, then shut again.

Fiction book (1990)
These pieces are little case locks from a plastic organizer case.
Perrin shut the cage door; the big lock made a sharp click as he refastened it.

Fiction book (1991)
Locks are engaged.

Armageddon (1998)

Synonyms

latch

vslock

49 2.6

A small metal part that holds a door or gate closed

is a mechanical fastening device usually operated by a key or a numeric code

deadbolt

vslock

14 4.6

A strong metal bar that you move with a key or knob to lock a door

is the broader fastening device used on doors, vehicles, or guns

combination lock

vslock

5 2.8

A device that opens only when you enter the right numbers

is a general fastening device that can use either codes or a metal device

window lock

vslock

1 2.3

A small device attached to a window that keeps it closed and stops people opening it

is a general fastening device usable on doors, windows, or other items

keylock

vslock

3.5

A lock you open by putting a key in and turning it

is opened by a small metal device or by a numeric code

cylinder lock

vslock

3.5

A device with a round key part that opens a door when the right key turns it

is the general fastening device broader than any single internal design

lever lock

vslock

Specialized

6.7

A device that keeps a door or safe closed until someone lifts the levers to the right heights

is the general fastening device that may use different internal mechanisms

doorlock

vslock

1.8

A thing on a door that stops people from opening it unless they have a key or code

is any mechanical fastening device for various objects, not only doors

ignition lock

vslock

Specialized

5.1

A part in a car that stops the engine from starting without the right key

is a fastening device for security, not limited to vehicle systems

safety lock

vslock

2.8

A lock on a door that keeps people from opening it from outside

is the general fastening device that may not include this external blocking feature

wheel lock

vslock

Archaic

9.9

A gun device with a rotating wheel that makes sparks to light powder

is a fastening device that secures objects rather than igniting firearms

Idioms

under lock and key

16 3.0

Kept in a locked place so people cannot take it

to lock horns

Informal

5 5.1

To argue strongly with someone about something

to lock him up and throw away the key

Informal

2 9.5

Put someone in prison and never let them out

to lock up and toss the key

Informal

9.3

Put someone in prison and never let them leave

Compounds

air lock

Specialized

5 5.6

A chamber that lets people move between places with different air pressure while preventing air mixing

combination lock

5 2.8

A device that opens only when you enter the right numbers

Caps Lock

2 2.6

A key on a keyboard that makes all typed letters capital until turned off

safety lock

2 3.5

A device on a gun that stops it from firing by accident

vapor lock

Specialized

1 7.4

A stop in the fuel moving to a car engine because heat makes gas bubbles

window lock

1 2.3

A small device attached to a window that keeps it closed and stops people opening it

cylinder lock

3.5

A device with a round key part that opens a door when the right key turns it

lever lock

Specialized

6.7

A device that keeps a door or safe closed until someone lifts the levers to the right heights

lock chamber

Specialized

5.8

A part of a canal with gates that raises or lowers boats by changing the water level

lock ring

Specialized

5.8

A small round ring that keeps a nut from coming loose

lock washer

Specialized

5.1

A small metal ring that stops a nut from coming loose

lock-gate

Specialized

4.9

A gate that opens and closes to let boats pass and control water in a canal

lock-up option

Formal

9.5

A right for a friendly investor to buy key assets before others to stop a takeover

love-lock

8.4

A padlock attached to a place like a bridge by a couple to show their lasting love

heart-shaped love-lock

6.0

A small metal lock shaped like a heart that couples attach to bridges

ignition lock

Specialized

5.1

A part in a car that stops the engine from starting without the right key

safety lock

2.8

A lock on a door that keeps people from opening it from outside

sash lock

Specialized

6.2

A small lock on a window with two moving panels that keeps them closed

scalp lock

9.9

A long piece of hair left on top of a shaved head, worn in some Indigenous North American cultures

wheel lock

Archaic

9.9

A gun device with a rotating wheel that makes sparks to light powder

How Secure

deadbolt

14 4.6

lock

523 1.0

to latch

58 2.5

Surface Forms

lock singular

locks plural

Etymology

Lock for a device to fasten things comes from an old English word loc that meant 'bolt' or 'to close'. So a lock is something that keeps a door, box, or engine shut and safe.