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

SpaceX employees are subject to a 180-day lockup period but have the chance to sell some shares earlier during specified windows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Shares of both have surged since debuting in January, promising sizable rewards for early investors before their lockup periods expire next month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Advisors suggest considering ETFs with SpaceX exposure or waiting for initial earnings reports and lockup periods to expire.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Some 7.8 billion shares of common stock, or more than 60% of currently outstanding shares, are subject to a lockup period, according to the filing.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

Henry Foster had had his machine wheeled out of its lockup and, when Lenina arrived, was already seated in the cockpit, waiting.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Related Words

• penitentiary