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

While that dynamic can lead to problems, as evidenced by the NFL and NBA lockouts of 2011 and a likely MLB lockout beginning this December, those problems are temporary and end with two sides cutting a deal. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026

Clerical workers at the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) have ratified a new contract agreement with the company, and will return to work next week, ending a monthlong lockout. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 May 2026

Verb

Beijing — The world’s largest electric vehicle maker is locked out of its biggest potential overseas market. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 May 2026

Those workers had been locked out of their jobs since April 3 after failing to reach agreement on a new contract. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 May 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