LOCKER Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com (original) (raw)

noun

a chest, drawer, compartment, closet, or the like, that may be locked, especially one at a gymnasium, school, etc. for storage and safekeeping of clothing and valuables.
Nautical. a chest or compartment in which to stow things.
a refrigerated compartment, as in a locker plant, that may be rented for storing frozen foods.
a person or thing that locks.
Digital Technology. music locker.

noun

1. a small compartment or drawer that may be locked, as one of several in a gymnasium, etc, for clothes and valuables
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a locker room
a person or thing that locks
a refrigerated compartment for keeping frozen foods, esp one rented in an establishment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of locker

First recorded in 1375–1425, locker is from the late Middle English word loker. See lock 1, -er 1

Explanation

A locker is a small closet or cabinet with a lock where you can keep your jacket and other possessions for a while. High school students typically have lockers for storing their books (and their smelly gym socks). You might use a locker at school, when you're visiting a museum and need a place to leave your backpack, or at the gym. In fact, most gyms and swimming pools have "locker rooms," where you can change into your workout clothes and store your regular clothes and shoes, as well as your wallet, phone, and keys, in a locker. Locker has been used since the 14th century — and even earlier, although it originally meant "a lock."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before she headed to the locker room, Burrell thanked everyone and called out a cheerful invocation, “Successful first game!”

FromLos Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

He had 13 points in the first half as the Lakers took a one-point lead into the locker room.

FromLos Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Against Wolves he was a solid, commanding goalkeeper, which I actually didn't think he had in the locker.

FromBBC • Apr. 27, 2026

When crew chief James Williams declared that Ayton would be sent off, the Lakers center simply dropped his head and walked to the locker room.

FromLos Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Joey and Rock drove around the back entrance to the locker room.

From"Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023