spinlock
nounUK /ˈspɪnlɒk/
US /ˈspɪnlɑːk/
A spinlock is a tiny lock a computer uses to keep two helpers from touching the same thing at once.
The program used a spinlock to make sure only one thread changed the counter.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A lock in which a thread repeatedly checks until it becomes free instead of sleeping.
Under heavy contention the spinlock wasted CPU cycles while waiting.
3. A simple locking primitive used inside an operating system kernel.
The kernel protects the shared queue with a spinlock.
4. Any lock that spins or rotates, such as a twist-lock fastener.
He turned the spinlock on the suitcase until it clicked.