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

They saw home sale prices increase 0.7% to 0.9% near headquarters in the six months after events like an IPO and an end to share lockup periods.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 13, 2026

Newly public companies typically have lockup periods that prevent insiders from dumping shares for a while, often six months or so.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

That should help mitigate trading volatility in the next few weeks to months, especially as SpaceX’s complicated lockup provisions allow some insiders to begin selling their shares.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 12, 2026

SpaceX employees are subject to a 180-day lockup period but have the chance to sell some shares earlier during specified windows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 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