lockup

American  

[lok-uhp] / ˈlɒkˌʌp /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of lockup

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lockup

Thursday’s share unlocking marks the second of several such instances that are part of SpaceX’s staggered lockup schedule.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

Meanwhile, the gains in recent days could reflect some relief after the first tranche of insider-held shares was released from lockup late last week.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

That was followed Thursday by a lockup ending for certain insiders and other pre-IPO shareholders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

SpaceX shares rose 16% Friday, rebounding from a post-earnings selloff, as retail investors piled in even as a lockup expiration arrived that had some analysts concerned about insider selling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

It made my alibi sound a wee bit suspicious, and that’s how I got thrown in the lockup.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• penitentiary