lock screen

noun

plural lock screens
: a graphical user interface displayed by a device (such as a computer or smartphone) that prevents access to most functions of the device until a certain action (such as swiping one's finger across the screen or entering a predetermined code) is performed
Speaking of locking your phone, Android typically shows notifications on your lock screen by default—which means the contents of messages you receive might be visible to anyone who looks at your device, even if they can't unlock it.JR Raphael

Examples of lock screen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep reading to learn how to customize your lock screen. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 Get your iOS notifications shown as a list on the lock screen. David Nield, Wired News, 19 May 2026 For iPhone users, Amazon Lens can also launch from the lock screen through a widget. Kurt Knutsson fox News May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links., FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026 Other updates include a real-time way to monitor live workouts, such as run distance and pace, via the app and lock screen. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lock screen

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lock screen was in 1991

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Cite this Entry

“Lock screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock%20screen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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