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

Pershing Square itself planned to invest $150 million in the offering and subject itself to a 25-year lockup agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The Adelanto facility, like the Louisiana lockup where Cabrera Clemente was held, is run by a private, for-profit prison company.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

SpaceX is considering preferential treatment for investors in other Musk companies and unusual lockup times for early shareholders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

According to the fund’s prospectus, shares purchased prior to Feb. 20 are subject to a six-month lockup period, which limits the liquidity of the fund.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 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