1. a device for securing a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.
2. a contrivance for fastening or securing something.
3. (in a firearm)
• the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.
• safety (def. 4).
4. any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.
5. an enclosed chamber in a canal, dam, etc., with gates at each end, for raising or lowering vessels from one level to another by admitting or releasing water.
6. an air lock or decompression chamber.
7. complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold: The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.
8. someone or something certain of success; sure thing: He's a lock to win the championship.
9. any of various holds, especially a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head: leg lock.
10. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.
11. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.

12. to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.
13. to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.
14. to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock: He locked the steering wheel on his car.
15. to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts: to lock the wheels of a wagon.
16. to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining: to lock arms.
17. to hold fast in an embrace: She was locked in his arms.
18. to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often followed by through, in, out, down, or up).
19. to furnish with locks, as a canal.

20. to become locked: This door locks with a key.
21. to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked: gears that lock into place.
22. to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.
23. to construct locks in waterways.

24. lock in,
• to commit unalterably: to lock in the nomination of the party's candidates.
• (of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities.
25. to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.
26. lock on,
• to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.
• (in a video game) to target and then maintain the focus of the game camera and the player’s weapon on a selected character or item, though the player character and the targeted character may both be in motion.
27. lock out,
• to keep out by or as if by a lock.
• to subject (employees) to a lockout.
28. lock up,
• to imprison for a crime.
• to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoins.
• to fasten or secure with a lock or locks.
• to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etc.
• to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts.

29. to come into conflict; clash: to lock horns with a political opponent.
30. completely; entirely; including every part, item, or facet, no matter how small or insignificant: We bought the whole business, lock, stock, and barrel.
31. securely locked up: The documents were under lock and key.
32. lock and load,
• to load a gun with ammunition and prepare to fire: At twelve years old, I had to lock and load to protect the herd from cattle rustlers.
• to ready oneself for action: Lock and load, gamers! The tournament starts in ten!

1. a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair.
2. locks,
• the hair of the head.
• short wool of inferior quality, as that obtained in small clumps from the legs.
3. a small tuft or portion of wool, cotton, flax, etc.

1. a device fitted to a gate, door, drawer, lid, etc, to keep it firmly closed and often to prevent access by unauthorized persons
2. a similar device attached to a machine, vehicle, etc, to prevent use by unauthorized persons
• a section of a canal or river that may be closed off by gates to control the water level and the raising and lowering of vessels that pass through it
• (as modifier)
4. the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts
5. the extent to which a vehicle's front wheels will turn to the right or left
6. a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun
7. a person or thing that is certain to win or to succeed
8. completely; entirely
9. any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of his opponent's body and twists it or otherwise exerts pressure upon it
10. either of two players who make up the second line of the scrum and apply weight to the forwards in the front line
11. a gas bubble in a hydraulic system or a liquid bubble in a pneumatic system that stops or interferes with the fluid flow in a pipe, capillary, etc

12. to fasten (a door, gate, etc) or (of a door, etc) to become fastened with a lock, bolt, etc, so as to prevent entry or exit
13. to secure (a building) by locking all doors, windows, etc
14. to fix or become fixed together securely or inextricably
15. to become or cause to become rigid or immovable
16. to clasp or entangle (someone or each other) in a struggle or embrace
17. to furnish (a canal) with locks
18. to move (a vessel) through a system of locks
19. (esp of two equally matched opponents) to become engaged in argument or battle
20. to take precautions after harm has been done

1. a strand, curl, or cluster of hair
2. a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc
3. hair, esp when curly or fine

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