1. a situation in which an employer prevents workers from entering their workplace during a labor dispute
Usage: labor relations
2. the act of being locked out of a place, especially accidentally
3. a security feature that prevents access to a device or system
Usage: technology

Examples

• The factory workers faced a three-week lockout after contract negotiations failed.
• Management imposed a lockout to pressure the union into accepting lower wages.
• I experienced a lockout when I forgot my keys and couldn’t get into my apartment.
• The hotel guest called the front desk after a lockout from his room.
• The phone’s security lockout activated after too many incorrect password attempts.
• The computer system has an automatic lockout feature after periods of inactivity.