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
Jason Jones, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The agreement prevents a return to 2012 lockout conditions that resulted in the infamous ‘Fail Mary’ call when replacement officials incorrectly awarded a game-winning touchdown to the Seattle Seahawks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The disputes, which began last year, have dragged out for an unusually long time and left thousands of people locked out of in-network care at the public hospital systems.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lockout
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Noun
Smith additionally spent the 2011-12 season in China, signing a one-year deal with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls as the NBA dealt with a lockout.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The agreement prevents a return to 2012 lockout conditions that resulted in the infamous ‘Fail Mary’ call when replacement officials incorrectly awarded a game-winning touchdown to the Seattle Seahawks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Verb
My community continues to face the shortfall keeping rents high and locking out first-time home buyers.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The disputes, which began last year, have dragged out for an unusually long time and left thousands of people locked out of in-network care at the public hospital systems.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 May 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 11 May. 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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