blackout

[blak-out]

noun

1. the extinguishing or concealment of all visible lights in a city, military post, etc., usually as a precaution against air raids.

2. a period during a massive power failure when the lack of electricity for illumination results in utter darkness except from emergency sources, as candles.

3. Theater.

   1. the extinguishing of all stage lights, as in closing a vaudeville skit or separating the scenes of a play.

   2. Also called blackout skit. a skit ending in a blackout.

4. Pathology.

   1. temporary loss of consciousness or vision.

      She suffered a blackout from the blow on the head.

   2. a period of total memory loss, as one induced by an accident or prolonged alcoholic drinking.

      The patient cannot account for the bizarre things he did during his blackout.

5. a brief, passing lapse of memory.

   An actor may have an occasional blackout and forget a line or two.

6. complete stoppage of a communications medium, as by a strike, catastrophe, electrical storm, etc.: a radio blackout.

   a newspaper blackout;

   a radio blackout.

7. a stoppage, suppression, or obliteration.

   a news blackout.

8. a period during which a special sales offer, fare rate, or other bargain is not available.

   The airline's discount on fares does not apply during the Christmas week blackout.

9. Radio and Television.,  a prohibition that is imposed on the broadcasting of an event and has the purpose of encouraging or ensuring ticket sales.

blackout

/ ˈblækaʊt /

noun

1. the extinguishing or hiding of all artificial light, esp in a city visible to an enemy attack from the air

2. a momentary loss of consciousness, vision, or memory

3. a temporary electrical power failure or cut

4. electronics a temporary loss of sensitivity in a valve following a short strong pulse

5. a temporary loss of radio communications between a spacecraft and earth, esp on re-entry into the earth's atmosphere

6. the suspension of radio or television broadcasting, as by a strike or for political reasons

verb

1. (tr) to obliterate or extinguish (lights)

2. (tr) to create a blackout in (a city etc)

3. (intr) to lose vision, consciousness, or memory temporarily

4. (tr, adverb) to stop (news, a television programme) from being released or broadcast

blackout

1. The complete loss of electrical power in a particular area. Blackouts can result from a natural disaster, a manmade catastrophe, or simply from an excess of energy demand over supply. (Compare brownout.)

Rolling blackouts to match supply and demand have become increasingly common in the United States.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackout¹

First recorded in 1910–15; noun use of verb phrase black out

Example Sentences

The strikes follow two days of similar attacks that have caused blackouts and structural damage in Belgorod city and surrounding areas.

Read more on BBC

“We are supportive of the notion of all fans anywhere being able to watch any game, and doing away with blackouts,” Kasten said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Once admitted he was placed under what is known as a “blackout” procedure for patients in law-enforcement custody, making it harder for anyone to find him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Staged in a darkened Gothic downtown space, “Limos” was designed to put guests on edge, with limited lighting and at least one jump scare in a blackout moment.

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A power surge that caused a widespread blackout in Spain and Portugal was the "most severe" in Europe in the last 20 years, and the first of its kind, a report has found.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• collapse