lock 1  (l ŏk)
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n.1. A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing. 2. A section of a waterway, such as a canal, closed off with gates, in which vessels in transit are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section. 3. A mechanism in a firearm for exploding the charge. 4. An interlocking or entanglement of elements or parts. 5. a. Sports A hold in wrestling or self-defense that is secured on a part of an opponent's body. b. A secure hold; control: The distributor has a lock on most of the market. c. A sure thing; a certainty: His promotion is a lock. v. locked, lock·ing, locks v.tr.1. a. To fasten the lock of: close and lock a drawer. b. To shut or make secure with or as if with locks: locked the house. 2. To confine or exclude by or as if by means of a lock: locked the dog in for the night; locked the criminal up in a cell. 3. To fix in place so that movement or escape is impossible; hold fast: The ship was locked in the ice through the winter. She felt that she had become locked into a binding agreement. 4. a. To sight and follow (a moving target) automatically: locked the enemy fighter in the gun sights. b. To aim (a weapon or other device) at a moving target so as to follow it automatically: "The pilot had locked his targeting radar on the slow-moving frigate" (Ed Magnuson). 5. To clasp or link firmly; intertwine or interlock: locked arms and walked away. 6. To bind in close struggle or battle: The two dogs were locked in combat. 7. a. To equip (a waterway) with locks. b. To pass (a vessel) through a lock. 8. To invest (funds) in such a way that they cannot easily be converted into cash. 9. To arrange or secure (an interest rate) for a loan. 10. Computers a. To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents. b. To protect (a file) from changes or deletion. v.intr.1. To become fastened by or as if by means of a lock: The door locks automatically when shut. 2. To become entangled or jammed; interlock. 3. To become rigid or immobile: The mechanism tends to lock in cold weather. 4. To pass through a lock or locks in a waterway. Phrasal Verbs: lock down1. To place (a facility or the people in it) in a lockdown. 2. To arrange or secure (something) so that it does not change or can't be undone. lock out To withhold work from (employees) during a labor dispute. Idioms: lock horns To become embroiled in conflict. lock lips Slang To engage in a long kiss. lock, stock, and barrel To the greatest or most complete extent; wholly: an estate that was auctioned off lock, stock, and barrel. under lock and key Securely locked up.
[Middle English lok, from Old English loc, bolt, bar.]
locka·ble adj. | 
