lockdown
noun
lock·down
ˈläk-ˌdau̇n 
plural lockdowns
1
: the confinement of prisoners to their cells for all or most of the day as a temporary security measure
2
a
: an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area or building (such as a school) during a threat of danger
For those of you unfamiliar with a school lockdown, it basically means that … when there is a threat of danger, the doors to all the classrooms and offices are locked.—
Anne Sponholtz
Anne Sponholtzlockdown drills/procedures
b
: a temporary condition imposed by governmental authorities (as during the outbreak of an epidemic disease) in which most people are required to refrain from or limit activities outside the home involving public contact (such as dining out or attending large gatherings)
Authorities placed the central Chinese city under lockdown on Jan. 23 after the virus had infected hundreds of residents and was just starting its spread across the globe.—Darryl Coote
Darryl CooteThe San Francisco Bay Area lockdown and national guidelines signal a rapid escalation of government and business efforts to halt the coronavirus spread via restrictions that will slam the brakes on economic activity.—Ed Carson
Ed CarsonWhile most people are at home during lockdown, essential workers are still on the front lines and need their children to be looked after.—George Heagney
George HeagneyExamples of lockdown in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shortly after, the prison staff put us all on lockdown for almost one week.
—Billie Allen, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The Lunar Codex was created by Samuel Peralta, a physicist and author, who came up with the idea of sharing our collective creativity with the heavens during the dark days of the pandemic lockdowns.
—Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
Listen to this article Two schools in Granby were put into lockdown on Monday following a report that a high school student had a weapon.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2025
Made with a slash-resistant material, this crossbody bag comes with lockable zippers, multiple interior pockets, RFID-blocking credit card slots, and a lockdown strap that prevents thieves from running off with your belongings.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lockdown 
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Billie Allen, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The Lunar Codex was created by Samuel Peralta, a physicist and author, who came up with the idea of sharing our collective creativity with the heavens during the dark days of the pandemic lockdowns.
—Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
Listen to this article Two schools in Granby were put into lockdown on Monday following a report that a high school student had a weapon.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2025
Made with a slash-resistant material, this crossbody bag comes with lockable zippers, multiple interior pockets, RFID-blocking credit card slots, and a lockdown strap that prevents thieves from running off with your belongings.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lockdown
Dictionary Entries Near lockdown
Cite this Entry
“Lockdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockdown. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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lockdown
noun
lock·down
ˈläk-ˌdau̇n
: the confinement of prisoners to their cells for a temporary period as a security measure
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