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

In the second year, the NHL’s season was reduced to 48 games because of a lockout. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025

After the owners’ lockout in 2004-05 that pushed for a salary cap, led in part by B’s ownership, the club floundered. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 June 2025

Verb

Democratic lawmakers and activists continue to search for ways to mount a resistance President Donald Trump while they are stuck in congressional minorities and locked out of power until at least 2026. —Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025

You're locked out of your own accounts Losing access to your email, bank, or social media accounts may mean hackers have already reset your passwords. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 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