lockup

noun

lock·​up ˈläk-ˌəp 

1

: jail

especially : a local jail where persons are detained prior to court hearing

2

: an act of locking : the state of being locked

Synonyms of lockup

• jail
• prison
• penitentiary

Examples of lockup in a Sentence

the firm conviction that juvenile offenders should never be held in adult lockups

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also concerns over whether investors can absorb the new supply, especially as post-IPO lockup periods expire in 2027. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Shares subject to a post-IPO lockup usually cannot be used as collateral until the restrictions lapse. — Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

The blade is paired with a crossbar-style lock designed to offer secure lockup while keeping operation intuitive. — New Atlas, 21 July 2026

That event will trigger the first wave of stock-sale lockups expiring. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lockup

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• makeup
• markup
• pickup

Kids Definition

lockup

noun

lock·​up -ˌəp 

: prison sense 2, jail

Legal Definition

lockup

noun

lock·​up

1

: a cell or group of cells (as in a courthouse) or jail where persons are held prior to a court hearing compare house of correction, house of detention, jail, penitentiary, prison

2

: the tactic of arranging with a friendly party an option to buy a valuable portion of one's corporate assets in order to discourage a takeover by another party