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But I have learned a thing or two; I know as sure as fate, when we lock up our lives for wealth, the gold key comes too late.
Will Carleton

Meaning of "lock" in the English dictionary

Dictionary
DICTIONARY
section

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD LOCK

Old English loc; related to Old Norse lok.
info
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance.
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PRONUNCIATION OF LOCK

lock  [lɒk] play
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GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF LOCK

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Lock is a verb and can also act as a noun.
A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.

The verb is the part of the sentence that is conjugated and expresses action and state of being.

See the conjugation of the verb lock in English.

WHAT DOES LOCK MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Definition of lock in the English dictionary

The first definition of lock in the dictionary is a device fitted to a gate, door, drawer, lid, etc, to keep it firmly closed and often to prevent access by unauthorized persons. Other definition of lock is a similar device attached to a machine, vehicle, etc, to prevent use by unauthorized persons. Lock is also 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.


CONJUGATION OF THE VERB TO LOCK

PRESENT

Present
I lock
you lock
he/she/it locks
we lock
you lock
they lock
Present continuous
I am locking
you are locking
he/she/it is locking
we are locking
you are locking
they are locking
Present perfect
I have locked
you have locked
he/she/it has locked
we have locked
you have locked
they have locked
Present perfect continuous
I have been locking
you have been locking
he/she/it has been locking
we have been locking
you have been locking
they have been locking
Present tense is used to refer to circumstances that exist at the present time or over a period that includes the present time. The present perfect refers to past events, although it can be considered to denote primarily the resulting present situation rather than the events themselves.

PAST

Past
I locked
you locked
he/she/it locked
we locked
you locked
they locked
Past continuous
I was locking
you were locking
he/she/it was locking
we were locking
you were locking
they were locking
Past perfect
I had locked
you had locked
he/she/it had locked
we had locked
you had locked
they had locked
Past perfect continuous
I had been locking
you had been locking
he/she/it had been locking
we had been locking
you had been locking
they had been locking
Past tense forms express circumstances existing at some time in the past,

FUTURE

Future
I will lock
you will lock
he/she/it will lock
we will lock
you will lock
they will lock
Future continuous
I will be locking
you will be locking
he/she/it will be locking
we will be locking
you will be locking
they will be locking
Future perfect
I will have locked
you will have locked
he/she/it will have locked
we will have locked
you will have locked
they will have locked
Future perfect continuous
I will have been locking
you will have been locking
he/she/it will have been locking
we will have been locking
you will have been locking
they will have been locking
The future is used to express circumstances that will occur at a later time.

CONDITIONAL

Conditional
I would lock
you would lock
he/she/it would lock
we would lock
you would lock
they would lock
Conditional continuous
I would be locking
you would be locking
he/she/it would be locking
we would be locking
you would be locking
they would be locking
Conditional perfect
I would have lock
you would have lock
he/she/it would have lock
we would have lock
you would have lock
they would have lock
Conditional perfect continuous
I would have been locking
you would have been locking
he/she/it would have been locking
we would have been locking
you would have been locking
they would have been locking
Conditional or "future-in-the-past" tense refers to hypothetical or possible actions.

IMPERATIVE

Imperative
you lock
we let´s lock
you lock
The imperative is used to form commands or requests.
NONFINITE VERB FORMS
Infinitive
to lock
Past participle
locked
Present Participle
locking
Infinitive shows the action beyond temporal perspective. The present participle or gerund shows the action during the session. The past participle shows the action after completion.

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE LOCK

loci sigilli
lock forward
lock gate
lock horns
lock keeper
lock on to
lock out
lock stitch
lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
lock up
lock-in
lock-up
lock, stock, and barrel
lockable
lockage
lockbox
lockdown
Locke
locked
locked in

WORDS THAT END LIKE LOCK

block
building block
clock
cock
digital clock
dock
eight o´clock
Hitchcock
in stock
knock
on the block
out of stock
rock
sherlock
shock
stock
the clock
the Rock
unblock
unlock

Synonyms and antonyms of lock in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

SYNONYMS OF «LOCK»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «lock» and belong to the same grammatical category.
synonyms of lock
bar · bolt · catch · clasp · clench · close · clutch · curl · embrace · encircle · enclose · engage · entangle · entwine · fasten · fastening · grapple · grasp · hug · interlock · join · latch · link · mesh · padlock · press · ringlet · seal · secure · shut · sneck · strand · tress · tuft · unite

Translation of «lock» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR
online translator

TRANSLATION OF LOCK

Find out the translation of lock to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of lock from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «lock» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

cerradura
570 millions of speakers

English

lock
510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

ताला
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

قِفْلٌ
280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

замок
278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

fechadura
270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

তালা
260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

verrou
220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

Kunci
190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

Schloss
180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

자물쇠
85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Ngunci
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

khóa cửa
80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

பூட்ட
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

लॉक करा
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

kilitlemek
70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

serratura
65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

zamek
50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

замок
40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

broască
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

κλειδαριά
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

sluit
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

lås
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

lås
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of lock

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «LOCK»

The term «lock» is very widely used and occupies the 3.513 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
0
100%
FREQUENCY
Very widely used
98
/100
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «lock» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of lock
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «lock».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «LOCK» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «lock» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «lock» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about lock

EXAMPLES

10 QUOTES WITH «LOCK»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word lock.
1
Willie Aames
There are things God does for me daily, and it throws me into brain lock, because I know in my heart I don't deserve that kind of grace. I don't deserve that break.
2
Stephen Ambrose
Eisenhower had the clearest blue eyes. He would fix them on you. In my every interview with him, he would lock his eyes on to mine and keep them there.
3
Joe Arpaio
I'm an equal-opportunity law-enforcement guy - I lock everybody up.
4
Mahesh Babu
When my film flops, I believe it is my mistake. There have been times when I didn't come out of my house because my films didn't do well. I lock myself in for months. I don't talk to people. I feel bad for producer, director, for those who lost money. It's never about myself or my career alone.
5
Elayne Boosler
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
6
Elizabeth Bowen
Never to lie is to have no lock on your door, you are never wholly alone.
7
William Boyd
I have this lock of hair that keeps falling across my forehead. It drives me mad.
8
James Buchan
At the heart of banking is a suicidal strategy. Banks take money from the public or each other on call, skim it for their own reward and then lock the rest up in volatile, insecure and illiquid loans that at times they cannot redeem without public aid.
9
Jake Busey
I just didn't lock into being in the right role in the right big movie and it going huge. I did never really make the leap to hyperspace. Who's to say that it can't still happen. I just enjoy working, and feel fortunate to be doing the things that I am doing.
10
Will Carleton
But I have learned a thing or two; I know as sure as fate, when we lock up our lives for wealth, the gold key comes too late.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «LOCK»

Discover the use of lock in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to lock and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's ...
This edition has been updated to reflect the changing landscape of tools and tactics which have emerged in recent years Detailed full-color photos make learning as easy as picking a lock Companion website is filled with indispensible lock ...
Deviant Ollam, 2012
2
Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder
Always harmful and potentially deadly, eating disorders can wreak havoc on families. This powerful and controversial book by top researchers argues that parents are not the culprits but the key to their teen's recovery.
James Lock, Daniel Le Grange, 2005
3
Secrets of Lock Picking
Master locksmith Steven Hampton reveals here the tricks and tools for bypassing keyed and combination locks from pin tumbler locks, mushroom and spool pin tumbler locks, wafer tumbler locks, warded locks and disk tumbler locks to tubular ...
Steven Hampton, 1987
4
Project Management
This Tutor's Edition includes all of the text of the paperback edition along with a series of 25 Powerpoint presentations each one tied into the contents of the related chapters.
Dennis Lock, 2007
5
Hook, Loop 'n' Lock: Create Fun and Easy Locker Hooked Projects
In this book, traditional locker hooking breaks out of its homespun country image, showing that it can be bold, modern, wild, whimsical ... whatever you want it to be!
Theresa Pulido, 2009
6
The Essentials of Project Management
Using examples and illustrations, the author introduces the key project management procedures and explains clearly how and when to use them.The text for the new edition has been completely restructured and largely rewritten, so that the ...
Dennis Lock, 2007
7
Lock and Key
Ruby Cooper likes to expect the worst.
Sarah Dessen, 2009
8
Functional English Grammar: An Introduction for Second ...
This text explores ways in which English grammar enables speakers and writers to represent the world, to interact with one another, and to create coherent messages.
Graham Lock, 1996
9
Advanced Project Management: A Structured Approach
Its aim is twofold: to provide both a guide for managers, engineers, accountants and others involved in project work and a reference for advanced students of project and construction management.This fourth edition of the book has been ...
F. L. Harrison, Dennis Lock, 2004
10
Digital Phase Lock Loops: Architectures and Applications
Digital phase lock loops are critical components of many communication, signal processing and control systems. This exciting new book covers various types of digital phase lock loops.
Saleh R. Al-Araji, Zahir M. Hussain, Mahmoud A. Al-Qutayri, 2007

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «LOCK»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term lock is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Man appears in court accused of roadside murder of Donald Lock
Matthew Daley is led away from Crawley magistrates court on Monday after being charged with murdering retired solicitor Donald Lock. «The Guardian, Jul 15»
2
Tops Markets offers latest 'Price Lock' items - Business - The Buffalo …
Tops Friendly Markets has released its latest list of Price Lock Guarantee items – a seasonal list of price cuts on commonly bought products. «Buffalo News, Jul 15»
3
How to access your Wallet from the lock-screen on iOS 9 - CNET
How to access your Wallet from the lock-screen on iOS 9. This quick shortcut makes it almost too easy to pay for your dirty double chai latte at ... «CNET, Jul 15»
4
Soap Box Derby champs roll into Lock 3 Park in Akron to great …
Soap Box Derby champs from around the world participated in the Parade of Champions down Main Street and into Lock 3 Park on Monday to ... «Akron Beacon Journal, Jul 15»
5
Mike Bordick Thinks The Orioles Need A Lock Down Pitcher At The …
Mike said that the Orioles should look to add a starting pitcher, “what we need is a lock down pitcher.” Steve asked Mike about his thoughts on ... «CBS Local, Jul 15»
6
Boks need new flank, lock - SuperSport - Rugby
The Springboks will need to field a new flank and lock this weekend when they face New Zealand in their Castle Lager Rugby Championship ... «SuperSport, Jul 15»
7
Consortium to build bigger lock - KHL Group
Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Highways & Waterways Agency) intends awarding the construction of the new IJmuiden sea lock, located at the ... «KHL Group, Jul 15»
8
Why these companies lock up customers, how to visit Cuba …
Why these companies lock up customers, how to visit Cuba. By Priya Anand. Published: July 20, 2015 6:06 p.m. ET. Share. By ... «MarketWatch, Jul 15»
9
Pattern-lock Android apps with ES App Locker - BetaNews
Get past the lock screen, and if a friend picks up your phone they can do ... Once the system is set up then you can easily lock or unlock ... «BetaNews, Jul 15»
10
Police: Lock up your 4-wheelers - WALB.com, South Georgia News …
Dougherty County police say you should lock up ATV's in a garage or shed if possible. If not use a chain or other locking method and never leave the key in the ... «WALB-TV, Jul 15»

REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Lock [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/lock>. Jun 2026 ».
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