lockdown
noun
lock·down
ˈläk-ˌdau̇n 
plural lockdowns
1
: the confinement of prisoners to their cells for all or most of the day as a temporary security measure
2
a
: an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area or building (such as a school) during a threat of danger
For those of you unfamiliar with a school lockdown, it basically means that … when there is a threat of danger, the doors to all the classrooms and offices are locked.—
Anne Sponholtz
Anne Sponholtzlockdown drills/procedures
b
: a temporary condition imposed by governmental authorities (as during the outbreak of an epidemic disease) in which most people are required to refrain from or limit activities outside the home involving public contact (such as dining out or attending large gatherings)
Authorities placed the central Chinese city under lockdown on Jan. 23 after the virus had infected hundreds of residents and was just starting its spread across the globe.—Darryl Coote
Darryl CooteThe San Francisco Bay Area lockdown and national guidelines signal a rapid escalation of government and business efforts to halt the coronavirus spread via restrictions that will slam the brakes on economic activity.—Ed Carson
Ed CarsonWhile most people are at home during lockdown, essential workers are still on the front lines and need their children to be looked after.—George Heagney
George HeagneyExamples of lockdown in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As the Sheriff tries to enforce curfews and lockdowns, and the Mayor tries to enforce mask mandates, and each ignores the other, tensions grow until Sheriff Cross spontaneously announces his intention to unseat Garcia as mayor.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
During that period prisoners escaped, staff overtime pay soared and lockdowns kept prisoners from exercise, fresh air and educational programming, leading some to routinely threaten suicide.
—Mario Koran, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder wing man Alex Caruso, who helped his team win an NBA Championship last month thanks to his lockdown defense, scored 18 points in the first round and began Saturday in sixth place.
—Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Boyd said inmates who clog toilets are subject to a disciplinary lockdown, which separates an individual from the general jail population and revokes certain privileges.
—Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lockdown
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Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
During that period prisoners escaped, staff overtime pay soared and lockdowns kept prisoners from exercise, fresh air and educational programming, leading some to routinely threaten suicide.
—Mario Koran, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder wing man Alex Caruso, who helped his team win an NBA Championship last month thanks to his lockdown defense, scored 18 points in the first round and began Saturday in sixth place.
—Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Boyd said inmates who clog toilets are subject to a disciplinary lockdown, which separates an individual from the general jail population and revokes certain privileges.
—Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lockdown
Cite this Entry
“Lockdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockdown. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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lockdown
noun
lock·down
ˈläk-ˌdau̇n
: the confinement of prisoners to their cells for a temporary period as a security measure
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