Locked

Locked is the past participle of the verb lock and functions as an adjective describing something secured by a lock or otherwise prevented from opening, entering, or being accessed. The term appears in a wide range of everyday and specialized contexts.

In ordinary use, a door, box, cabinet, or device can be locked. An account, document, or file may be locked to restrict access, and an object can be locked away to indicate it is not accessible. The opposite of locked is unlocked.

In security and hardware, locking mechanisms include keys, bolts, pins, and electronic locks. Master keys, combination locks, and smart locks illustrate different approaches to controlling access. Locks also enable tamper-evidence and privacy in homes, offices, and vehicles.

In computing, locking refers to mechanisms that coordinate or restrict access to data. File locking, mutexes, and read/write locks help prevent data corruption from concurrent writes. Lock files and advisory versus mandatory locking are common concepts; improper locking can cause deadlocks or reduced performance.

In medicine, the compound term locked-in syndrome is used to describe a condition in which a patient remains conscious but cannot move or communicate verbally due to brainstem injury.

In finance and blockchain, locked assets or time-locked arrangements restrict release of funds until certain conditions or times are met; lockups during initial public offerings and time-locked wallets are examples.