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
locked out; locking out; locks out
: to subject (a body of employees) to a lockout
Examples of lockout in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Many expect a lockout before the 2027 season due to a gap in negotiations, with many owners expected to push for a salary cap that would combat the lopsided spending by teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Most elastane-containing garments remain locked out of circular systems, with downcycling or landfill often the only viable end-of-use options.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lockout
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Noun
Rumblings about another lockout began almost immediately after the current CBA was ratified, after the owners locked out the players for 99 days, during the 2021-22 offseason.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Many expect a lockout before the 2027 season due to a gap in negotiations, with many owners expected to push for a salary cap that would combat the lopsided spending by teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Rumblings about another lockout began almost immediately after the current CBA was ratified, after the owners locked out the players for 99 days, during the 2021-22 offseason.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Most elastane-containing garments remain locked out of circular systems, with downcycling or landfill often the only viable end-of-use options.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lockout
Cite this Entry
“Lockout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockout. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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