How to Use lock in a Sentence

lock

1 of 2 verb
  • The wheels locked and the car skidded off the road.
  • He forgot to lock the car.
  • The file is locked for editing.
  • She locked the bicycle to the railing with a chain.
  • She locked her hands around the steering wheel.
  • They locked the door when they left and unlocked it when they returned.
  • They were locked in each other's arms.
  • The car locks automatically when you start the engine.
  • Now, the Royals have their guy locked up for the future.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2024
  • Under the law, the House is locked at a ceiling of 435 members.
    Dante Chinni, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2023
  • Peter told her to check the bedroom, but Kiara said the door was locked.
    Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2023
  • His gaze locked on the infant as her tiny toes gripped the hardwood floors.
    Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
  • And when the city inspectors arrived, the gate was locked.
    Samantha Schmidt and Kostiantyn Khudov, Anchorage Daily News, 21 June 2023
  • For now, the freeze ray remains locked up in the confines of Arkham Asylum.
    Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 2 Sep. 2023
  • But could the Dolphins get a jump start on locking up one of their young stars?
    Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2024
  • Instead, Wright was sent to a halfway house that was not locked down.
    Kevin Grasha cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 31 May 2023
  • To these unlucky souls, add the people locked up in our prisons and jails.
    Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
  • The ironing board folds down when needed and can be locked in place to lay flat against the door when not in use.
    Tanya Edwards, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2023
  • And to top it all off, the dryer is equipped with a cool shot setting that’s meant to be used at the end of your blowout to lock in the style.
    Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 23 June 2023
  • Be sure to lock in the deal before the offer ends on November 28.
    Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
  • Ever since Covid, every prison [in Maryland] is locked down 20 hours out of the day.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2023
  • There's a Republican head who's got the votes locked up.
    Nbc Universal, NBC News, 30 July 2023
  • This siren was first abducted and then, for love, is next to this man, captive and locked up in a way.
    Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
  • The new handle tucks itself inside the door when locked and pops out for access.
    Abigail Bassett, Car and Driver, 12 June 2023
  • The troopers asked Cobb to get out of the car, which had its doors locked and front windows down, according to the complaint.
    Trisha Ahmed, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2024
  • Though they’re not locked up, they’re locked out of key aspects of society.
    Malaika Jabali, Essence, 5 Oct. 2023
  • Both are trying to lock in the 218 votes required to win the job and need the support of both the far-right and moderate factions of the party.
    Jill Colvin, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023
  • The teller then locked themselves in a back room and Bell fled the scene on foot without getting any money.
    Adam Sabes, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2023
  • Trump is on track to lock up the nomination days later.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2024
  • Pitt and Jolie have faced off over custody (though they've been ruled single, their 2016 divorce is still not finalized) and are currently locked in a legal battle over ownership of their French winery Château Miraval.
    Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Advertisement

lock

2 of 2 noun
  • The way the click of the lock echoed in the room was wrong.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024
  • The lock for each seat is in the middle of the back and very easy to engage.
    Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 17 Oct. 2023
  • But the Rams are no lock to beat the 49ers even if Shanahan rests starters.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023
  • The host hopes to keep the figure-four leg locks and piledrivers to a minimum.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Nov. 2023
  • Reviews said the lock is easy to install and the product is worth its price.
    Nora Colomer, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2024
  • Her brunette locks were pulled back in a clip with some longer wisps hanging down from the side of her bangs.
    Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 8 June 2023
  • Seems like the best chance of the winter so far locally but far from a lock.
    A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024
  • The knobs are large and easy to use, and there’s a child lock function, too, for extra safety.
    Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023
  • Within an hour, a locksmith arrived and changed the locks.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
  • In the virtual market, the supply is endless, and the key is always in the lock.
    Amanda Hess, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024
  • Bailey’s is Black, with long copper hair that twists, waves and locks.
    Wesley Morris, New York Times, 24 May 2023
  • In fact, many hot tub covers have locks, so the hot tub can be safely sealed when not in use.
    Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2023
  • Equaling James’ production isn’t a lock for the NBA’s young stars.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024
  • Stephan had put the security lock on the door, so not even the hotel staff could access the room for her.
    Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023
  • The toddler lock will keep clever little ones from changing the settings.
    Kelsey Kunik, Parents, 12 Dec. 2023
  • Salt water mixes with fresh water when the canal’s locks fill up.
    Peter Millard, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2024
  • At the top of the list, Chloe Bailey drove her look home with locks tightly twisted under a short, black wig.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 8 Dec. 2023
  • But migrants get in even when the gates are closed, sometimes by breaking locks or slipping through gaps in the wall.
    Anita Snow The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
  • After just a few washes, her locks looked healthy and vibrant.
    Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024
  • Heading into the draft, there was no certainty beyond the No. 1 pick and even that wasn’t a lock.
    Mark Heim | [email protected], al, 28 Apr. 2023
  • Once the update arrives, users can tap any one-to-one or group exchange and select the lock option.
    Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 16 May 2023
  • Of the rest, Lanthimos, Nolan, and Scorsese have the requisite scale and vision to feel like locks.
    Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024
  • The two lock eyes before they’re interrupted by Alex who clears his throat to cut the tension.
    Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
  • Plus, the cooler has a night light that makes the spouts visible in low lighting and a child lock on the hot-water button.
    Camryn Rabideau, Popular Mechanics, 13 May 2023
  • One of the most challenging parts of owning a smart lock is the installation.
    Josh Hendrickson, PCMAG, 1 Feb. 2024
  • In the photo, Stause wore a simple white dress with her wavy locks half up, half down and G Flip donned a black suit and clean white sneakers.
    Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 11 May 2023
  • The lock was removed May 15 after the city’s Parks and Recreation Department learned about the closure.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2023
  • In a typical day, one skilled lock artisan can make up to 40 locks.
    Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 14 July 2023
  • Some formulas that are made for dandruff, which is not the same as a dry scalp, will help reduce the itch while bringing back moisture to your manly locks.
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
  • McDonald argued to the jury that four children might be alive had James Crumbley used a cable lock, a trigger lock or stored the gun in a locked safe.
    Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: