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

With the tentative deal now in place, the union now moves to the agreement ratification process, with both parties agreeing not to engage in any strike or lockout activity. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025

This executive predicted both leagues will have lockouts as owners and players can’t agree on new CBAs in time. —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025

Verb

Then at 18, she was locked out by her foster family and subsequently fell in and out of homelessness, working temp jobs to get by, and facing poverty, hunger and incarceration. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2025

Avoid locking out your elbows while performing this exercise. —Health Editorial Team, Health, 20 Dec. 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