blackout

1 of 2

noun

black·​out ˈblak-ˌau̇t How to pronounce blackout (audio)
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

black out

2 of 2

verb

blacked out; blacking out; blacks out

transitive verb

1
a
: blot out, erase
blacked out the event from his mind
b
: to suppress by censorship
black out the news
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

intransitive verb

1
: to become enveloped in darkness
2
: to undergo a temporary loss of vision, consciousness, or memory

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
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of blackout was in 1824

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 How to pronounce blackout (audio)
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
-ˈau̇t
verb

Medical Definition

blackout

1 of 2 noun
black·​out ˈblak-ˌau̇t How to pronounce blackout (audio)
: a transient dulling or loss of vision, consciousness, or memory
an alcoholic blackout
compare grayout, redout

black out

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to undergo a temporary loss of vision, consciousness, or memory (as from temporary impairment of cerebral circulation, retinal anoxia, a traumatic emotional blow, or an alcoholic binge) compare gray out, red out

transitive verb

: to cause to black out

More from Merriam-Webster on blackout

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