Meaning & Definition of word "Lockout"
Lockout
/ˈlɒkaʊt/
noun:
- 1. A situation in which employees are prevented from entering the workplace, typically used as a tactic during labor disputes.
- Example: The company initiated a lockout during negotiations with the union to enforce tougher terms.
- 2. The act of locking someone out or the state of being locked out.
- Example: After forgetting her keys, she was faced with a frustrating lockout from her apartment.
- 3. A temporary halt of certain operations or access for safety or security reasons.
- Example: The factory experienced a lockout due to safety violations detected during an inspection.
Etymology
●The term is a combination of 'lock' and 'out', referring to locking out employees from the workplace.
Common Phrases and Expressions
lockout tagout:
A safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to start up again until maintenance or servicing is complete.
permanent lockout:
A lockout that lasts indefinitely until a resolution is reached or conditions change.
temporary lockout:
A lockout implemented for a short period, often to negotiate terms.
Related Words
strike:
A work stoppage initiated by employees to enforce demands.
negotiation:
Discussion aimed at reaching an agreement between employers and employees.
work stoppage:
A cessation of work initiated by employees or employers.
Slang Meanings of lockout
Meaning: To be locked out of the job.
● Example Sentence: After the lockout started, the workers felt totally locked out of their jobs.
Meaning: To get locked out of the workplace due to disputes.
● Example Sentence: They were locked out last week, and it’s starting to get serious.