Word forms: lockoutsregional note: in BRIT, use lock-out
countable noun
A lockout is a situation in which employers close a place of work and prevent workers from entering it until the workers accept the employer's new proposals on pay or conditions of work.
[business]
The lockout could resume if no new contract agreement is signed.
lockout in British English
(ˈlɒkaʊt)
noun
the closing of a place of employment by an employer so as to bring pressure on employees to agree to terms
lockout in American English
(ˈlɑkˌaʊt)
noun
the refusal by an employer to allow employees to come in to work until agreement is reached, as on contract terms
Examples of 'lockout' in a sentence
lockout
"I'm having to override some kind of lockout... good thing I bought that lockpick grist instead of paying my rent that time... there.