in·ter·lock
ˌin-tər-ˈläk 
interlocked; interlocking; interlocks
: to become locked together or interconnected
1
: to lock together : unite
2
: to connect so that the motion or operation of any part is constrained by another
in·ter·lock
ˈin-tər-ˌläk
1
: the quality, state, sense, or an instance of being interlocked
2
: an arrangement in which the operation of one part or mechanism automatically brings about or prevents the operation of another
a safety interlock
3
a
: a stretchable fabric made on a circular knitting machine and consisting of two ribbed fabrics joined by interlocking
b
: a garment made of interlock
Examples of interlock in a Sentence
Verb
She interlocked her fingers with his.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024
Fertility involves a complex, interlocking set of biological mechanisms, only some of which are within our control.
—Casey Seiden, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024
Its fantasy setting was an exquisite puzzle box of topography, one that rewarded players for learning its interlocking routes.
—Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Santos Straight Grain is the wood chosen by the customer, selected due to its rich texture and interlocking grain pattern lending the car a modern look.
—Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
They are protected by a maze of interlocking trusts and limited liability companies.
—Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Marvel parent Disney’s 2019 acquisition of key Fox entertainment assets, including the rights to X-Men and Fantastic Four, has fueled excitement about where those titles will go as they’re incorporated into Marvel’s interlocking universe.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
By reducing the grass footprint on this project, permeable hardscaping was swapped in the form of gravel and interlocking pavers to create a space for entertaining that would also provide crucial rainwater absorption.
—Sunset In Partnership With Yardzen, Sunset Plant Collection, Terra, and Timbertech, Sunset Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
Most of these structures are sunken into the ground, built with a number of large stones that interlock together with some sort of plaster connecting them.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
There is also an interlock to prevent the NACS connector from being removed while the adapter is connected to the vehicle charge port.
—Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Wisconsin has some of the loosest laws on the use of interlocks on vehicles driven by motorists convicted of driving while impaired.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2024
The Manchester band’s music unfolds piece by unnerving piece, mirroring Caulfield’s fatalistic cry into the void: unsettling electronic percussion interlocks with live drums before descending into sheets of seething, inhuman noise.
—Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2023
Charges were eventually dropped when Damon completed 50 hours of community service with Habitat for Humanity, made a donation to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, attended a DUI class and a victim awareness program, and had an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Dec. 2022
For more information about alcohol interlock programs in Europe, click here.
—Tanya Mohn, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023
These findings can be shared with product development teams to create a deeper product interlock, guiding product roadmap toward what customers want from their product.
—Manjula Talreja, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Fairfax County General District Court Judge Susan Earman dismissed the defense team’s motion and proceeded with Sangha’s trial, questioning the police officer involved and ultimately convicting Sangha on the count of driving without an ignition interlock.
—Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2021
Verb
Americans may wonder if these interlocking relationships will someday add up to a formal alliance of U.S. enemies—the mirror image of the institutions Washington itself leads.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024
Fertility involves a complex, interlocking set of biological mechanisms, only some of which are within our control.
—Casey Seiden, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024
Its fantasy setting was an exquisite puzzle box of topography, one that rewarded players for learning its interlocking routes.
—Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Santos Straight Grain is the wood chosen by the customer, selected due to its rich texture and interlocking grain pattern lending the car a modern look.
—Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
They are protected by a maze of interlocking trusts and limited liability companies.
—Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Marvel parent Disney’s 2019 acquisition of key Fox entertainment assets, including the rights to X-Men and Fantastic Four, has fueled excitement about where those titles will go as they’re incorporated into Marvel’s interlocking universe.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
By reducing the grass footprint on this project, permeable hardscaping was swapped in the form of gravel and interlocking pavers to create a space for entertaining that would also provide crucial rainwater absorption.
—Sunset In Partnership With Yardzen, Sunset Plant Collection, Terra, and Timbertech, Sunset Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
Most of these structures are sunken into the ground, built with a number of large stones that interlock together with some sort of plaster connecting them.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Under the terms of the limited commutation, Reid will have to work at least 30 hours, install an ignition interlock system in his vehicle, undergo random drug screening, meet weekly with a probation or parole officer and complete at least 10 hours of community service each month.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
There is also an interlock to prevent the NACS connector from being removed while the adapter is connected to the vehicle charge port.
—Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Wisconsin has some of the loosest laws on the use of interlocks on vehicles driven by motorists convicted of driving while impaired.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2024
The Manchester band’s music unfolds piece by unnerving piece, mirroring Caulfield’s fatalistic cry into the void: unsettling electronic percussion interlocks with live drums before descending into sheets of seething, inhuman noise.
—Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2023
Charges were eventually dropped when Damon completed 50 hours of community service with Habitat for Humanity, made a donation to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, attended a DUI class and a victim awareness program, and had an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Dec. 2022
For more information about alcohol interlock programs in Europe, click here.
—Tanya Mohn, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023
These findings can be shared with product development teams to create a deeper product interlock, guiding product roadmap toward what customers want from their product.
—Manjula Talreja, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Fairfax County General District Court Judge Susan Earman dismissed the defense team’s motion and proceeded with Sangha’s trial, questioning the police officer involved and ultimately convicting Sangha on the count of driving without an ignition interlock.
—Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near interlock
Cite this Entry
“Interlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlock. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
interlock
intransitive verb
in·ter·lock
ˌin-tər-ˈläk
: to be or become mutually connected
also
: to be consistent in regard to major elements
confessions that interlock
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