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black·out
ˈblak-ˌau̇t 
1
a
: a turning off of the stage lighting to separate scenes in a play or end a play or skit
also
: a skit that ends with a blackout
b
: a period of darkness enforced as a precaution against air raids
c
: a period of darkness (as in a city) caused by a failure of electrical power
2
: a transient dulling or loss of vision, consciousness, or memory
an alcoholic blackout
3
a
: a wiping out : obliteration
b
: a blotting out by censorship : suppression
a news blackout
4
: a usually temporary loss of a radio signal
5
: the prohibition or restriction of the telecasting of a sports event
6
: a time during which a special commercial offer (as of tickets) is not valid
—usually used attributively
blackout dates
blacked out; blacking out; blacks out
1
2
: to envelop in darkness
black out the stage
3
: to make inoperative (as by a power failure)
4
: to impose a blackout on
blacked out the local game
1
: to become enveloped in darkness
2
: to undergo a temporary loss of vision, consciousness, or memory
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
the blackouts of World War II
She keeps flashlights and candles handy in case of a blackout.
He told his doctor he had been experiencing blackouts.
Verb
had spent most of her adulthood trying to black out memories of a wretched childhood
with the delivery of the knockout punch, the screen blacks out, and in the next scene the boxer wakes up in the hospital
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2023
The woman was able to speak with Allure before the Iranian government imposed an internet blackout across the country.
—Alaina Demopoulos, Allure, 28 Sep. 2022
Facing unwanted attention from reporters, though, — 247Sports currently has a Crystal Ball prediction for the Tigers and Crimson Tide — Hurley self-imposed a media blackout on April 24.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 18 May 2022
As the United States rushes to remove its troops from Afghanistan this summer, the Pentagon has imposed a de-facto press blackout on their departure.
—Megan K. Stack, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2021
During the turmoil in the fall of 2019, for instance, the government imposed a near-complete internet blackout.
—The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2021
Along with cruel repression, the regime imposed an Internet and social-media blackout.
—Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
The limited-availability program allows for multiple visits in a year for one price, with varying levels based on blackout dates.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2023
Travelers using either pass have to work around blackout dates, generally surrounding major holidays.
—Jon Murray, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023
Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2023
Human pilots may black out at accelerations less than a quarter of what these snakes can handle, the authors say.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2016
But go to a Halloween store and get some gray to put in your hair and black out your teeth.
—Vulture, 28 Apr. 2022
Humans being hurled downward generally black out around 2 or 3 G's.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2012
If this were a White Out game I’d be considered a black out by the 4th quarter.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 27 Oct. 2022
The percentage figure is not black out of white, which would be supremely easy to read, but transparent.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022
If not, get a sharpie and black out the swoosh or any other company logo.
—John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Sep. 2022
But there was never enough oxygen to breathe normally, causing some people to black out and others, mainly older, to suffer hallucinations.
—Valerie Hopkins, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2022
See More
Noun
In 2012, when Tehran imposed a partial internet blackout, use of such services increased dramatically.
—Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2023
The woman was able to speak with Allure before the Iranian government imposed an internet blackout across the country.
—Alaina Demopoulos, Allure, 28 Sep. 2022
Facing unwanted attention from reporters, though, — 247Sports currently has a Crystal Ball prediction for the Tigers and Crimson Tide — Hurley self-imposed a media blackout on April 24.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 18 May 2022
As the United States rushes to remove its troops from Afghanistan this summer, the Pentagon has imposed a de-facto press blackout on their departure.
—Megan K. Stack, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2021
During the turmoil in the fall of 2019, for instance, the government imposed a near-complete internet blackout.
—The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2021
Along with cruel repression, the regime imposed an Internet and social-media blackout.
—Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 16 July 2021
The limited-availability program allows for multiple visits in a year for one price, with varying levels based on blackout dates.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2023
Travelers using either pass have to work around blackout dates, generally surrounding major holidays.
—Jon Murray, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023
Verb
As always when redeeming points and miles, be sure to read the terms and conditions of each deal and check for black out dates and other restrictions before transferring points or making purchases.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2023
Human pilots may black out at accelerations less than a quarter of what these snakes can handle, the authors say.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2016
But go to a Halloween store and get some gray to put in your hair and black out your teeth.
—Vulture, 28 Apr. 2022
Humans being hurled downward generally black out around 2 or 3 G's.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2012
If this were a White Out game I’d be considered a black out by the 4th quarter.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 27 Oct. 2022
The percentage figure is not black out of white, which would be supremely easy to read, but transparent.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022
If not, get a sharpie and black out the swoosh or any other company logo.
—John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Sep. 2022
But there was never enough oxygen to breathe normally, causing some people to black out and others, mainly older, to suffer hallucinations.
—Valerie Hopkins, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blackout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1824, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near blackout
Cite this Entry
“Blackout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blackout. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
blackout
noun
black·out
ˈblak-ˌau̇t
1
: a period when lights are kept off to guard against enemy airplane attack in a war
2
: a period when lights are off as a result of an electrical power failure
3
: a temporary dulling or loss of vision or consciousness
black out
verb
-ˈau̇t
Medical Definition
blackout
1 of 2 noun
black·out
ˈblak-ˌau̇t
black out
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to cause to black out
More from Merriam-Webster on blackout
Nglish: Translation of blackout for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blackout
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