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
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
Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Ingrassia complained to associates earlier this month that he had been locked out of his Justice Department devices, said sources.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 24 Feb. 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
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
California has been in a years-long housing crisis because of high costs, low inventory and relatively few new houses being built, locking out many potential homeowners.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Ingrassia complained to associates earlier this month that he had been locked out of his Justice Department devices, said sources.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 24 Feb. 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 Mar. 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