deadlock

noun

dead·​lock ˈded-ˌläk How to pronounce deadlock (audio)
1
: a state of inaction or neutralization resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions : standstill
the deadlock was broken with a key compromise
2
: a tie score
deadlock verb

Examples of deadlock in a Sentence

City councilors reached a deadlock over the law. His goal broke a 3–3 deadlock.
Recent Examples on the Web Striker Raúl Jiménez broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a stunning 30-yard free kick into the top corner, before turning provider for César Huerta to seal the win four minutes into the second half. Matias Grez, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024 However, hosting proprietary LLM costs millions of dollars per year without seeing obvious ROI, which makes this a deadlock situation. Richard Meng, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 The poll had a deadlock at 48% in the presidential race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Oct. 2024 Despite their claims, in 1996, three years after their first trial ended in a deadlock, the brothers were convicted of the first-degree murders of their parents and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deadlock 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deadlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadlock was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near deadlock

Cite this Entry

“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

deadlock

noun
dead·​lock -ˌläk How to pronounce deadlock (audio)
: a stopping of action because both sides in a struggle are equally powerful and neither will give in
deadlock verb

Legal Definition

deadlock

noun
dead·​lock ˈded-ˌläk How to pronounce deadlock (audio)
: a state of inaction resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions: as
a
: the state of a jury unable to agree on a verdict see also allen charge
b
c
: a state in which corporate directors are unable to perform their functions because of shareholder voting
deadlock verb

More from Merriam-Webster on deadlock

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