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 Stars’ 71 power-play goals ranked first in the NHL in 2025-26, and Johnston’s 27 were the second-most in a single season since the 2004-05 lockout. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

This might be added in the form of a lockout button or safety switch. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026

Verb

Earlier this month, the company locked out 1,600 workers amid a contract dispute. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Soon after formally returning to work in the fall of 2025, Mavromatis says now, she was asked to put together the team’s social-media strategy for the coming year but soon after found she was locked out of her email. —Irin Carmon, Vulture, 22 Apr. 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