1. the process of passing boats or ships through a lock in a canal or waterway
Usage: nautical; plural form
2. fees charged for using locks in a waterway system
Usage: nautical; commercial shipping

Examples

• The canal authority scheduled multiple lockages throughout the day.
• Heavy traffic required additional lockages to accommodate all vessels.
• Lockages on this waterway can take up to thirty minutes per boat.
• The shipping company budgeted for lockages along the entire route.
• During peak season, lockages are performed every two hours.
• Commercial vessels pay higher lockages than recreational boats.