lockstep

/ˈlɒkstɛp/

//ˈlɒkstɛp// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"lockstep" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“lockstep” is uncommon English (frequency #68,398 among 16,425 “L” headwords), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#68,398
frequency rank, English
16,425
“L” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A step whereby the toe of one man is brought very close to the heel of the man in front.

Key facts for lockstep
PropertyValue
Headwordlockstep
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈlɒkstɛp/
Letters8
Frequency rank#68,398
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “lockstep” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). lockstep lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

lockstep is uncommon English at frequency #68,398 among 16,425 “L” headwords, classed as anoun, transcribed /ˈlɒkstɛp/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 3 senses are on record.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for lockstep, a straightforward case of a spelling with little room for common typos. It is not paired with a close-neighbour confusable in our dataset, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From lock + step. The correct English form is lockstep, spelled L-O-C-K-S-T-E-P.

Definition

  1. 1
    A step whereby the toe of one man is brought very close to the heel of the man in front.
  2. 2
    Close connection, unison, rigid synchronization.
  3. 3
    An inflexible, rigid or stifling pattern.

Etymology

From lock + step.

This word in other languages

unísono(Español)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "lockstep"?
"lockstep" is spelled L-O-C-K-S-T-E-P. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈlɒkstɛp/.
What does "lockstep" mean?
As a noun, "lockstep" means: A step whereby the toe of one man is brought very close to the heel of the man in front.
How do you pronounce "lockstep"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "lockstep" is /ˈlɒkstɛp/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "lockstep"?
From lock + step. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “lockstep”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is L-O-C-K-S-T-E-P - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈlɒkstɛp/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list