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
Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Peterson feared Williams could be adversely affected by the NFL’s offseason lockout.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
And now, locked out of their homes, those residents will need to find their way in South Florida’s historically expensive housing market.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lockout
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
The narratives have started to run rampant leading up to the conclusion of the MLB season, and especially with the Dodgers' league-leading payroll and murmurs of an MLB lockout in 2027, one that has begun gaining traction, is that the Dodgers are Goliath and the Blue Jays are David.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Peterson feared Williams could be adversely affected by the NFL’s offseason lockout.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
With the owners expected to lock out the players and pursue a salary cap after the collective bargaining agreement expires after next season, the Dodgers serve as an easy foil.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
And now, locked out of their homes, those residents will need to find their way in South Florida’s historically expensive housing market.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share