lockout

1 of 2

noun

lock·​out ˈläk-ˌau̇t How to pronounce lockout (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Hoyer is in the final year of his own contract, and there is a potential lockout looming once the collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2026 season. Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 After the Loma Prieta earthquake postponed the World Series, and the 1990 players' lockout ended, Vincent banned Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for hiring gambler Howie Spira to investigate one of his players, Dave Winfield. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
With millions of Brazilians living in hard-to-reach areas, consumers in these vibrant communities are often locked out of the digital world, particularly in areas such as e-commerce. Angelica Mari, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 On opening day of Sox camp this year, the media was inadvertently locked out of the Camelback Ranch press box, but only because someone forgot to open it. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lockout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1853, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lockout was in 1853

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lockout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockout. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

lockout

noun
lock·​out -ˌau̇t How to pronounce lockout (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce lockout (audio)
: the withholding of employment by an employer in order to gain concessions from or resist demands of employees

More from Merriam-Webster on lockout

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