lockout
UK: ˈlɒkaʊt | US: ˈlɑːkaʊt
n. 1. The exclusion of employees from their workplace by management during a labor dispute.
n. 2. A defensive strategy in sports to prevent opponents from scoring.
n. 3. A mechanism or period where access to a system is restricted (e.g., electronic lockout).
The word "lockout" emerged in the early 19th century, combining "lock" (from Old English loc, meaning "fasten" or "barrier") and "out" (from Old English ūt, meaning "outside"). Originally used in labor disputes, it literally described employers "locking out" workers to suppress strikes. The term later expanded to sports and technology, retaining its core idea of enforced exclusion or restriction.
The factory management imposed a lockout after negotiations with the union failed.
The team’s strong defense resulted in a complete lockout of their opponents.
After three failed password attempts, the system activated a 30-minute lockout.
The lockout lasted for weeks, leaving hundreds of employees without pay.
Cybersecurity protocols include automatic lockouts to prevent unauthorized access.