lock

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /lɒk/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /lɑːk/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular lock

Plural locks

1. A lock is a metal thing on a door (or on a window, drawer, etc.) that stops people from opening the door unless they have the right key to open it.

   No one will take things from my house. I have a very strong lock on the door.

2. A lock is two or more gates (doors) in water to let boats move from lower water to higher water or the other way.

Verb

Plain form lock

Third-person singular locks

Past tense locked

Past participle locked

Present participle locking

1. Someone locks a door when they close the lock with a key so that no one can come in.

   Remember to lock the door when you leave the house.

• 

  A lock

• 

  A lock

• 

  The inside of a lock

• 

  A lock to let boats through