in·ter·lock

(ĭn′tər-lŏk′)

v. in·ter·locked, in·ter·lock·ing, in·ter·locks

v.tr.

1. To unite or join closely as by hooking or dovetailing.

2. To connect together (parts of a mechanism, for example) so that the individual parts affect each other in motion or operation.

v.intr.

To become united or joined closely, as by hooking or dovetailing.

n. (ĭn′tər-lŏk′)

1. A mechanical device that prevents a component from functioning when another component is functioning or situated in a particular way.

2. A stretchy fabric knitted with interlocking stitches by alternating sets of needles on a circular knitting machine.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	interlocking - contact by fitting together; "the engagement of the clutch"; "the meshing of gears" meshing, mesh, engagement impinging, striking, contact - the physical coming together of two or more things; "contact with the pier scraped paint from the hull"
	2.	interlocking - the act of interlocking or meshing; "an interlocking of arms by the police held the crowd in check" interlock, meshing, mesh snap, grab, snatch, catch - the act of catching an object with the hands; "Mays made the catch with his back to the plate"; "he made a grab for the ball before it landed"; "Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away"; "the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion"
Adj.	1.	interlocking - linked or locked closely together as by dovetailing interlacing, interlinking, interwoven complex - complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts; "a complex set of variations based on a simple folk melody"; "a complex mass of diverse laws and customs"

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Wait a bit." But the soldiers, crowded together shoulder to shoulder, their bayonets interlocking, moved over the bridge in a dense mass.

View in context

It is an interlocking unit, a living, conscious being, half human and half machine; and an injury in any one place may cause a pain or sickness to its whole vast body.

View in context

Corporate Interlocking: 1962-1995, 27 CRITICAL SOC.

Serving more than one master: a social network analysis of section 8 of the Clayton Act

The control and collusion perspectives suggest that using interlocks to collude with or coopt others improves profitability, yet some researchers have found positive effects of interlocking on firm profits (e.g., Pennings, 1980; Burt, 1983), while others have found negative effects (Fligstein and Brantley, 1992).

When do interlocks matter?: alternate sources of information and interlock influence

Nomenclature: Exchange of failed implant with an intramedullary interlocking nail may be secondary interlocking nailing--If a failed metallic plate (DCP) is exchanged with an Interlocking nail.

A study of exchange of failed implant with intramedullary interlocking nail in fractures of femur and tibia

One of the most contentious and yet recurrent ways senior leaders exercise power in society is through overlapping board memberships, what scholars call "interlocking directorates" or simply "interlocks." The tendency of boards of for-profit firms, policy groups, nonprofit organizations, and even universities is to share members.

The irony of interlocked boards

Mechanical interlocking products guarantee strict adherence to procedure and help avoid human error.

Integrating components into valve solutions improves efficiency, safety

TUN SUD has certified that the mGard range meets the interlocking requirements of the latest European safety standards, so customers can install mGard with peace of mind.

Fortress' mGard interlock range receives approval

Interlocking tiles are designed with rough textural treatment to achieve non-slippery surface.

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

To allow a load to be transferred between cranes and monorails to any destination within a facility, the patented track interlocking system uses a series of cranes, interlocks, spur rails, curves and switches without setting the load down.

Transfer a load between cranes and monorails

In this study the effects of support consequences (SC) and cultural consequences (CC) on the selection of interlocks (by SC) and interlocking behavioral contingencies (IBCs--by CC) was evaluated.

Efectos de las Consecuencias de Soporte y Consecuencias Culturales en la Seleccion de Contingencias Conductuales Entrelazadas

Tanna, an orthopedic surgeon retired from Mumbai Medical College, India, explains the use of interlocking nails by orthopedic surgeons as internal splints, load-sharing devices, in the stabilization of fracture fragments, and in maintaining alignment in the tibia, femur, and humerus.

Interlocking nailing, 3d ed. (DVD included)