Meaning of lock In English

• 0 a device that prevents something such as a door from being opened and can only be opened with a key:

  • I heard someone turn a key in the lock.

  • safety locks

  • Thieves got in by smashing the lock off the door.

• 1 a length of water with gates at each end where the level of water can be changed to allow boats to move between parts of a canal or river that are at different heights

• 2 something that is certain to happen:

  • She's a lock for promotion this year.

• 3 a small group of hairs, especially a curl:

  • There is a lock of Napoleon's hair in the display cabinet.

  • curly locks

  • flowing golden locks

• 4 the amount a road vehicle's front wheels can be turned from one side to the other by turning its steering wheel:

  • You need it on full lock (= with the wheel turned as much as possible).

• 5 a way of holding someone that you are fighting against so that they cannot move:

  • The smaller wrestler held his opponent in a full body lock.

• 6 to put something in a safe place and fasten the lock:

  • He locked the confidential documents in his filing cabinet.

  • You really should lock your car (up) or it'll get stolen.

  • Don't forget to lock the door when you go out.

  • If you shut the door it will lock automatically.

• 7 to become fixed in one position:

  • I tried to start moving but the wheels had locked.

• 8 a device that keeps something, such as a door or drawer, fastened, usually needing a key to open it

• 9 a length of water with gates at either end where the level of water can be changed to allow boats to move between parts of a canal or river that are at different heights

• 10 a curl of hair, or a group of hairs

• 11 to be or hold something in a position or condition where movement, escape, or change is not possible:

  • [ T ] They’re locked in a lawsuit with their former employer.

  • [ I ] The cars crashed and the bumpers locked, making it impossible to move.

  • [ M ] The bank won’t lock in our mortgage rate.

• 12 If you lock something somewhere, you make it safe by putting it in a special place and fastening it closed with a lock:

  • [ T ] He locked the documents in his filing cabinet.

• 13 to become involved in a disagreement or argument with someone:

  • My first test as a manager early in my career was locking horns with a union representative at a print factory.

  • lock horns (with sb) over sth The White House and Congress locked horns over how to cut the budget deficit.