Definition
A time lock is a blockchain mechanism that restricts the movement or execution of digital assets or contract functions until a specified time or block height is reached. It encodes temporal conditions into transactions or smart contracts, ensuring that certain actions become valid or accessible only after the predefined time constraint has elapsed.
In Simple Terms
A time lock is a rule that says some crypto action is only allowed after a certain time or block. Until that moment arrives, the locked tokens or contract features cannot be used or changed, because the blockchain enforces the time-based restriction automatically.
Context and Usage
Time locks appear in smart contracts, token distribution schedules, and protocol-level rules across many blockchain networks. They are commonly referenced in discussions about tokenomics, governance token release schedules, and transaction validation conditions. Developers and protocol designers use time locks as a formal constraint when defining when certain on-chain states, transfers, or contract capabilities become active.