Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A way of marching in which the marchers follow each other as closely as possible.
  • noun A standardized procedure that is closely, often mindlessly followed.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a standard procedure that is followed mindlessly
  • noun a manner of marching in file in which each person's leg moves with and behind the corresponding leg of the person ahead

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From lock + step.

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