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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

lockstep en · ADJ

Pronunciation

  • (Southern-England) audio
  • /ˈlɒkstɛp/ (UK)

Etymology

From lock + step.

Meanings

  1. (not-comparable) In close connection, in unison, synchronized.
    • With both official university policies lock-step in favor of military recruitment, the next move is up to the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. 1983 February 5, Marc Killinger, “Universities Reinstate Military Recruiters”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 28, page 3:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
lock step alternative lexicographic
lock-step alternative lexicographic

lockstep en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • (Southern-England) audio
  • /ˈlɒkstɛp/ (UK)

Etymology

From lock + step.

Meanings

  1. (uncountable, usually) A step whereby the toe of one man is brought very close to the heel of the man in front.
  2. (figuratively, uncountable, usually) Close connection, unison, rigid synchronization.
    • But what [the Founding Fathers] weren’t counting on was lockstep partisanship, which translates today into a pro-Trump, pro-MAGA congressional majority that is likely to reinforce the president’s agenda, at least until the 2026 midterm elections. 2025 February 25, Linda Feldmann, “How Trump skirts checks and balances unlike any modern-day US president”, in The Christian Science Monitor:
    • The CIA's analysts learned to march in lockstep, conforming to conventional wisdom. 2007, Tim Weiner, Legacy of Ashes, Penguin, published 2008, page xv:
  3. (uncountable, usually) An inflexible, rigid or stifling pattern.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
lock-step alternative lexicographic
locksteps Number=Plur lexicographic
lock step alternative lexicographic

Translations (6)

es mismo paso (close connection, unison, rigid synchronization) · es unísono (close connection, unison, rigid synchronization) · fi marssi tahdissa lähekkäin (step whereby the toe of one man is brought very close to the heel of the man in front) · de but see Gleichschritt (step whereby the toe of one man is brought very close to the heel of the man in front) · es paralelo (close connection, unison, rigid synchronization) · es sincronización (close connection, unison, rigid synchronization)