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

In the second year, the NHL’s season was reduced to 48 games because of a lockout. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025

After the owners’ lockout in 2004-05 that pushed for a salary cap, led in part by B’s ownership, the club floundered. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 June 2025

Verb

Years ago, AmEx produced a short documentary called Spent: Looking for Change, which explored the lives of everyday Americans locked out of the traditional banking system. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

In the statement, Maiden staff said they were locked out of the restaurant July 7. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2025

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