lockdown

American  

[lok-doun] / ˈlɒkˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the confining of prisoners to their cells, as following a riot or other disturbance.

   The prison lockdown continues, more than three weeks after the death of a guard.

2. a security measure taken during an emergency to prevent people from leaving or entering a building or other location: The governor implemented a statewide lockdown to slow the spread of the virus—residents may not leave their homes for nonessential activities.

   The school remains under lockdown due to police activity in the area.

   The governor implemented a statewide lockdown to slow the spread of the virus—residents may not leave their homes for nonessential activities.

   The army base was on lockdown after a report of shots fired.

3. a freeze or pause.

   Banks aren’t lending during this credit lockdown.

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lockdown British  

/ ˈlɒkˌdəʊn /

noun

1. a security measure in which those inside a building such as a prison, school, or hospital are required to remain confined in it for a time

   many schools remained under lockdown yesterday

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Etymology

Origin of lockdown

First recorded in 1970–75; lock ¹ + -down, probably extracted from nouns formed from phrasal verbs, such as crackdown, shutdown, etc.

Example Sentences

This month, University College London reached a settlement with graduates and students who launched legal action over teaching quality during strikes and Covid lockdowns.

From BBC

Roku’s push into advertising and subscription services has helped the streaming platform return to full-year profitability for the first time since the days when pandemic lockdowns gave its business a boost.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite lockdown, hundreds of people lined the streets for Judith's funeral, remembering her kindness and love of life.

From BBC

But years removed from the lockdowns, people are starting to notice how compelled they still are to look at their phones for information, to shop, or for nothing at all.

From Los Angeles Times

Most hands-on elements of her degree, including art studio work, were ultimately lost to the lockdowns of Covid.

From BBC