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

According to Layfield, the likelihood of a lockout is higher than a strike at this point due to the costs Canada Post would likely bear if the workers walked off the job. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 1 May 2025

The study mentions that freelancers lose an average of $1,018 from lockouts. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Verb

But owners of minority construction businesses who spoke with the Connecticut Mirror said the legislation won’t address the real barriers that keep small contractors like them locked out of state projects. —Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2025

Experts Some Democrats have argued that the disparate responses to the administration are actually a strength for the party while it is locked out of power in Washington. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Apr. 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