lock on

verb

variants or lock onto
locked on or locked onto; locking on or locking onto; locks on or locks onto

transitive verb

: to acquire (something, such as a target or signal) automatically using a sensor (such as radar)

Examples of lock on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Social Circle went as far as to put a lock on the water meter going to the property on the outskirts of town. Irene Wright, USA Today, 18 June 2026 This jump-start meant a mobile phone could theoretically lock on to the GPS signal within milliseconds. Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 Someone cut the lock on a white Super 73 e-bike and stole it. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 Latinos make up about 37% of the electorate in Los Angeles, but polls conducted before the election suggested no single candidate had a lock on their votes. Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 The brand has a lock on practical and elegant wardrobe staples, like its best-selling Mongolian cashmere tee and jeans that fit like a dream. Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 Her eyes remained locked on the store's entrance. Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 28 May 2026 If Andoni Iraola’s side did manage that, the two clubs would be locked on points, goal difference and goals scored — meaning head-to-head records would be considered next. Mark Carey, New York Times, 24 May 2026 Footage released of attacks from the Ukrainian side confirms that the Hornet has an unusual user interface and seems able to lock on to targets from long range. David Hambling, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lock on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock%20on. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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