Glossary
Locksmith Terms & Vocabulary
15 essential locksmith terms with plain-English definitions: the vocabulary you’ll hear in training and on day one.
Key locksmith vocabulary
These 15 terms come up constantly in locksmith training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.
- Access control
- Electronic entry systems.
- Bitting
- Key cut depths.
- Bump key
- Bypass tool.
- Deadbolt
- Strong bolt lock.
- Key blank
- Uncut key.
- Key control
- Restricting key copies.
- Lockout
- Locked out of property.
- Master key system
- One key opens many locks.
- Mortise lock
- Lock set into a door.
- Panic bar
- Exit device.
- Pin tumbler
- Common lock type.
- Rekey
- Change the key that works a lock.
- Safe combination
- Code for a safe.
- Strike plate
- Plate on the frame.
- Transponder key
- Car key with a chip.
Practice these terms
Test yourself with the free Locksmith practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see Locksmith training.
Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.