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View synonyms for blackout

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 skita 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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.)

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

Origin of blackout1

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It doesn’t appear that the shutdown is coming to a close anytime soon, with the primary benefit being the history of the Fed to lean dovish during a data blackout,” he added.

Read more on Barron's

Ukrainian authorities say the recent surge of attacks on Belgorod, some of which have caused huge blackouts, is a direct result of Russia's latest onslaught on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Read more on BBC

The Federal Reserve also remains in a premeeting blackout period, making earnings virtually the only game in town for investors.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the government shutdown has created a significant data blackout that may be distorting the picture.

Read more on Barron's

The Ukrainian city of Chernihiv is in total blackout following what the authorities describe as a "massive" assault by Russian missiles and drones, with hundreds of thousands of people affected.

Read more on BBC

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