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

Roadside assistance is included, covering towing, flat-tire service and lockout support. — Michael Kurko, USA Today, 28 June 2026

With a lockout coming, fans who lack trust in the organization could abandon their fandom completely. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

Verb

The baseline will no doubt be raised and the legacy laptops will be locked out of all new features. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

The tenants also allege that their units were accessed and items went missing during the period of time when they were locked out of their units by the management company. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 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