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
locked out; locking out; locks out
: to subject (a body of employees) to a lockout
Examples of lockout in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
That means no monthly charges, no auto-renewals, and no sudden lockouts when your subscription lapses.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Institutions that cannot demonstrate a strong college-to-career pipeline risk being locked out of billions in federal dollars.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lockout
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Noun
The players association and ownership will have to agree, or the league could face a lockout in late October, when the CBA expires.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
That means no monthly charges, no auto-renewals, and no sudden lockouts when your subscription lapses.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the now-viral video (@nicolarimmer3), Ralph, the energetic puppy, is seen pitifully staring through the door window after being locked out of the playroom.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Institutions that cannot demonstrate a strong college-to-career pipeline risk being locked out of billions in federal dollars.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lockout
Cite this Entry
“Lockout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockout. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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