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

The narratives have started to run rampant leading up to the conclusion of the MLB season, and especially with the Dodgers' league-leading payroll and murmurs of an MLB lockout in 2027, one that has begun gaining traction, is that the Dodgers are Goliath and the Blue Jays are David. —Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Peterson feared Williams could be adversely affected by the NFL’s offseason lockout. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

With the owners expected to lock out the players and pursue a salary cap after the collective bargaining agreement expires after next season, the Dodgers serve as an easy foil. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

And now, locked out of their homes, those residents will need to find their way in South Florida’s historically expensive housing market. —Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 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