Definitions

1. noun

a situation in which a group of workers or employees are denied access to their workplace by management, often due to a labor dispute or disagreement.

“The union organized a lockout to protest the company’s plans to cut employee benefits.”

2. noun

a situation in which a computer system or network is denied access to its normal mode of operation, often due to a technical problem or security issue.

“The company experienced a lockout of its email system due to a cyberattack.”

3. verb

to deny someone access to a place or system, especially as a form of protest or punishment.

“The landlord locked out the tenants to force them to vacate the premises.”