lockup

[ lok-uhp ]

noun

1. a jail, especially a local one for temporary detention.
2. the act of locking up or the state of being locked up.
3. a temporary imprisonment or detention, as of suspects or prisoners.
4. a stock that has been held by an individual as a long-term investment, or that a brokerage firm is required by a regulation to hold for a certain period of time before it can be sold.
5. any investment or credit instrument, as a renewed loan, in which capital is tied up for a long time.
6. Printing.
   1. the entire body of type and cuts locked up in a chase preparatory to printing or platemaking.
   2. the act or procedure of locking up type and cuts in a chase.
7. Automotive. a sudden stopping of the rotation of a wheel.
8. British Informal. a rented locker, storage space, or garage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lockup¹

First recorded in 1760–70; noun use of verb phrase lock up

Example Sentences

We were traumatized every time we prepared to go out as we don’t know if we are going to be arrested and placed in the lockups.

From Washington Blade

A few days after Chin’s conviction, his lawyer called me and Caryle Murphy, a reporter from The Washington Post, to interview him in a local lockup.

From ProPublica

Rumors swirled that he was a fed in disguise investigating the notorious lockup, or a double spy working for the prison itself.

From The Daily Beast

“I’m not about to do that again,” she said, referring to her night in lockup.

From Washington Post

He hasn’t exercised any of his options and his shares are subject to a lockup period that ends in March.

From Fortune

Rita King likely would have disagreed with that sentiment when Evans entered the lockup room in back in April 2011.

From The Daily Beast

He was captured and sent to the U.S. lockup at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

Inside a secure so-called lockup room on the top floor of the William McChesney Martin Jr.

From The Daily Beast

MSNBC—home of said preacher and also of Lockup, a reality show about prison that is its biggest draw—can only spin.

From The Daily Beast

Just this Monday, Facebook stock declined to $18.87 in intraday trading on concerns about the lockup expiring.

From The Daily Beast

In accordance therewith a lockup was provided and cells built under the market.

From Project Gutenberg

Her most anxious thoughts concerned the means of getting money to lockup Harry's tongue.

From Project Gutenberg

If I see you around here when any more tests are going on Ill take you to the lockup myself.

From Project Gutenberg

Been in some other lockup, I suppose, since we saw you last?

From Project Gutenberg

The policeman led his prisoner away to the lockup, while all the rest of us followed up the search for half an hour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• penitentiary