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

Fans rooting for a lockout The Dodgers’ spending spree has done more than stir fury among fans across the game. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026

Debates continue to rage over whether the free-spending Dodgers are bad for baseball, whether a salary cap is imminent, and whether MLB is destined for a lockout after the current collective bargaining agreement expires next winter. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026

Verb

Once the funds were transferred, he was locked out of the account. —Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026

In Oklahoma County, 43% of tenants are locked out of their homes within 10 business days of an eviction being filed, if a judgment is received at the initial hearing, according to a Shelterwell report. —Jake Ramsey, Oklahoma Watch, 17 Jan. 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