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

As baseball owners prepare for a lockout, in a push for the salary cap that would drive franchise values higher, insiders anticipate the MLB expansion fee could settle around or even above the $4 billion range. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

The Porter County Board of Commissioners made a public declaration of support at their meeting Tuesday morning for the 800 families still being affected by the ongoing BP lockout. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

The deal is not expected to be approved until early 2027, according to a sale announcement, and who knows whether owners still will be locking out players by then? — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Darby’s attorneys claim that though she was promised net profit participation in the horror hit, she was ultimately locked out of its record-breaking profits. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026

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