# locker

/ˈɫɑkɝ/ (US) · /lˈɒkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/locker
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. storage compartment

noun · CEFR A2

a small cupboard with a lock where you can keep your bags, clothes, or books safe.

For teachers: a small, lockable cupboard or compartment used for the secure storage of personal effects in public or institutional buildings.

- I forgot my gym clothes in my locker at school.
- The university provides students with individual lockers in the hallway to store their heavy textbooks between lectures.

Usage: usually countable

### 2. on a ship

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a storage space on a ship or boat.

For teachers: a storage compartment on a maritime vessel, which may or may not be equipped with a lock.

- The sailors kept their rain gear in a small locker on the deck.
- The captain ordered the crew to secure all loose equipment in the chain locker before the storm reached its peak.

Usage: often used in nautical contexts

Teaching tip: Learners may encounter this in literature or technical manuals; it does not always imply the presence of a physical lock.

### 3. a closet

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · American English

a small room or cupboard for clothes.

For teachers: a closet or small storage room.

- She hung her coat in the locker by the front door.
- In older homes across southern Louisiana, it is common to hear residents refer to a bedroom closet simply as a locker.

Usage: specific to Louisiana and certain Gulf Coast regions

Teaching tip: This is a highly regional term; students should be aware of it only if they are living in or visiting the southern United States.

## Examples

- I left my gym bag in my locker.
- Students are required to empty their lockers before the summer break begins to allow for deep cleaning.
- The facility provides secure lockers for visitors, ensuring that personal items remain protected while guests enjoy the various amenities of the sports complex.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.