Standard Lemma guide

interlock

noun · verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˌɪntə(ɹ)ˈlɒk/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /ˈɪntə(ɹ)ˌlɒk/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: IH2 N T ER0 L AA1 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A safety device that prevents activation in unsafe conditions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The demonstrator couldn't figure out why the machine wouldn't work, until he remembered that there was an interlock so it wouldn't operate with the cover open.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To fit or clasp together securely.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To interlace.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

the act of interlocking or meshing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an interlocking of arms by the police held the crowd in check

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mesh, meshing, interlocking

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: catch, grab, snatch, snap

5

noun

Meaning 5

a device that prevents an automotive engine from starting

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • car theives know how to bypass the ignition interlock

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ignition interlock

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: device

6

verb

Meaning 6

coordinate in such a way that all parts work together effectively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mesh

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: organize, organise, coordinate

7

verb

Meaning 7

become engaged or intermeshed with one another

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • They were locked in embrace

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lock

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: embrace, hug, bosom, squeeze

8

verb

Meaning 8

hold in a locking position

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He locked his hands around her neck

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lock, interlace

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: hold, take hold

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Proto-Indo-European *h1entér Proto-Italic *n̥ter Latin inter Latin inter-bor. English inter- Proto-Indo-European *lewg-der. Proto-Germanic *luką Proto-West Germanic *lok Old English loc Middle English lok English lock English interlock From inter- + lock.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 互鎖 /互锁 — safety device
  • German: Verriegelung — safety device
  • Norwegian Bokmål: forrigling — safety device
  • Spanish: bloqueo — safety device
  • Spanish: traba — safety device
  • Bulgarian: блокирам (blokiram) — To fit or clasp together securely
  • Bulgarian: свързвам (svǎrzvam) — To interlace
  • Bulgarian: съединявам (sǎedinjavam) — To interlace
  • German: verschränken — To interlace
  • Spanish: engranar — To interlace
  • Spanish: endentar — To interlace
  • Spanish: encastrar — To interlace
  • Spanish: entrelazar — To interlace
  • Spanish: entretejer — To interlace