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
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
On the eve of South by Southwest, one of the year’s highest-revenue periods for Austin bars and music venues, the venue’s owners reportedly found a lockout notice on their doors.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Randy Niemeyer, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Overnight, the corporate breeders were locked out of the Golden State market.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lockout
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Noun
The company said the lockout will end if the union accepts the proposal from Tuesday's meeting.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
On the eve of South by Southwest, one of the year’s highest-revenue periods for Austin bars and music venues, the venue’s owners reportedly found a lockout notice on their doors.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Independent power producers, who often build cleaner and cheaper energy, are locked out.
—Randy Niemeyer, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Overnight, the corporate breeders were locked out of the Golden State market.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lockout
Cite this Entry
“Lockout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockout. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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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