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

See Examples For:

lockup

And the supply keeps coming after that, as another 7% of the lockup pool becomes eligible around Aug. 21, followed by another 7% around Sept. 10.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

Shares held under an extended lockup won’t be eligible for early release until after SpaceX reports fourth-quarter earnings in early 2027.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

Some get second chances; some don’t and return to lockup.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

SpaceX shares have faced pressure after the company postponed a Starship test launch and ahead of an August lockup expiration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

The cops had her back there in lockup right now with me and Ma waiting in this room out front.

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore

Related Words

• penitentiary