- 1 [transitive, intransitive] lock (something) to fasten something with a lock; to be fastened with a lock Did you lock the door? The gates are locked at 6 o'clock. This suitcase doesn't lock.
- 2 [transitive] lock something + adv./prep. to put something in a safe place and lock it She locked her passport and money in the safe.
- 3[intransitive, transitive] lock (something) (in/into/around, etc. something) | lock (something) (together) to become or make something become fixed in one position and unable to move The brakes locked and the car skidded. He locked his helmet into position with a click. See related entries: Driving
- 4[transitive] be locked in/into something 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[transitive] be locked together/in something to be held very tightly by somebody They were locked in a passionate embrace.
- 6 [transitive] lock something (computing) to prevent computer data from being changed or looked at by somebody without permission These files are locked to protect confidentiality. Word Originverb Old English loc, of Germanic origin; related to German Loch
verbjump to other results
BrE BrE//lɒk//; NAmE NAmE//lɑːk//Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they lock
BrE BrE//lɒk//; NAmE NAmE//lɑːk//he / she / it locks
BrE BrE//lɒks//; NAmE NAmE//lɑːks//past simple locked
BrE BrE//lɒkt//; NAmE NAmE//lɑːkt//past participle locked
BrE BrE//lɒkt//; NAmE NAmE//lɑːkt//-ing form locking
BrE BrE//ˈlɒkɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈlɑːkɪŋ//Driving