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

One new quirk that came out of the CBA struck during the 2021-22 lockout was the expansion of the postseason field to 12 teams. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

The league hasn’t been considering a lockout, according to a person familiar with the decision. —Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

Verb

If the league refuses to meet these demands, players should not hesitate to lock out. —Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

The league could also choose to lock out players, although a source with knowledge of the negotiations said the league has no plans to do so. —Ben Pickman, New York Times, 8 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