1
a
: an act or the process of passing something (as a boat) through a lock
b
: something passed or passing through a lock
especially
: the quantity (as of logs) that can be locked at one time
2
: the construction of a system of locks (as in a canal)
also
: a system of locks
3
: toll paid for passing through a lock or locks (as of a canal)
4
: the vertical distance through which a boat is raised or lowered in passing through a lock or series of locks
also
: the volume of water involved in the process
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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