lockout

1 of 2

noun

lock·​out ˈläk-ˌau̇t 

: the withholding of employment by an employer and the whole or partial closing of the business establishment in order to gain concessions from or resist demands of employees

lock out

2 of 2

verb

locked out; locking out; locks out

transitive verb

: to subject (a body of employees) to a lockout

Examples of lockout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Having been through the NBA and NFL lockouts of 2011 and other labor disputes, McKenzie recalled just how much of a rush there can be on supplementing income if paychecks don’t resume. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026

During a lockout or work stoppage, existing player contracts are generally frozen or burn through the calendar year rather than be nullified. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Verb

Brigham and Women's nurses demonstrated a one-day strike back in July but were locked out for four additional days by the hospital, which said temporary replacement nurses were contracted for five days of work. — Paul Burton, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2026

Lopez Andrade, according to investigators, stumbled upon Guevara Machado when she was locked out of her room. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1853, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lockout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

lockout

noun

lock·​out -ˌau̇t 

: the stopping of work or closing of a plant by an employer during a labor dispute in order to make the employees come to terms

Legal Definition

lockout

noun

lock·​out ˈläk-ˌau̇t 

: the withholding of employment by an employer in order to gain concessions from or resist demands of employees