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

Body confidence issues—which are impacted by the very advertisers who are now spending millions in women’s sports, calling with questions about what a lockout means for their sponsorship deals. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025

Both a lockout and strike involve one side going on offense to pressure the other side to make a better offer on a new CBA. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025

Verb

Sports labor disputes in the 21st century have mainly involved lockouts, with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB all locking out their players as part of labor disputes. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025

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

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