locker
LOK-er
/ˈlɒk.ər/
A small lockable closet or compartment used for storing personal belongings.
Refers specifically to secure storage units provided in gym changing rooms, schools, or workplaces.
The story behind the word. Originally a nautical term in Middle English for a chest or compartment on a ship secured with a lock. In the late 19th century, it was adopted by athletic clubs to denote personal changing room storage.
Word relationships
- cubby: Small open storage space without a lock.
- cabinet: Larger furniture piece used for general storage rather than individual personal items.
Commonly confused with
- lock: A lock is the mechanical device that secures an opening, while a locker is the compartment itself.
Word family
- lockers (noun): Plural form of locker.
Collocations
- locker room
- assign a locker
- lockable locker
- locker key
Idioms & expressions
- Davy Jones's locker (the bottom of the sea)
Example sentences
- "Please secure your valuables inside a locker before proceeding to the weight room." Gym facility
Memory hook
A locker locks up your gear while you exercise. Lock + er: the box that locks away your belongings.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a safe or security vault used for monetary assets.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'locker room talk' entered mainstream political lexicon during late 20th-century media discussions.
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