lockout

American  

[lok-out] / ˈlɒkˌaʊt /

noun

1. the temporary closing of a business or the refusal by an employer to allow employees to come to work until they accept the employer's terms.

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lockout Cultural  

1. The withholding of work from employees and closing down of a plant by an employer during a labor dispute.

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Etymology

Origin of lockout

First recorded in 1850–55; noun use of verb phrase lock out

Example Sentences

Others say the partial funding is a functional lockout.

From Los Angeles Times

The WNBA's current collective bargaining agreement will end on October 31, 2025, raising the possibility of a lockout if no agreement is reached before the deadline.

From Barron's

The lockout has been especially frustrating for Collett, who works in IT.

From The Wall Street Journal

Collective bargaining negotiations are scheduled to start next year, with the growing likelihood of a lockout after the 2026 season.

From Los Angeles Times

Neither player sounded as if a strike or lockout would benefit anyone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blockage
• closure
• interruption
• layoff
• shutdown
• walkout