lockout

A lockout is when you are kept from getting into a place, system, or activity. It can happen on purpose, like when an employer keeps workers from returning during a labor dispute, or by circumstance, like when a person cannot get back into an apartment or an account.

The word often appears in the world of work, where it means an employer stops workers from working during a strike or contract disagreement. But it also shows up in everyday life: a computer system may block entry after too many wrong password attempts, or someone may be unable to enter a home because the door has been locked.

A lockout is a situation in which a person is unable to enter a place, use a system, or take part in work because access has been blocked. In some cases this is deliberate; in others, it is simply the result of security rules or an accident. The common idea is that access is denied.

The most common formal use of "lockout" is in labor relations. A labor lockout happens when an employer does not allow employees to work, usually during a strike or a contract negotiation. It is used to put pressure on workers during the dispute. For example: "The factory owner started a lockout after talks with the union stalled."

However, "lockout" isn't limited to workplaces. It can also refer to:

Security lockouts:* A security system may cause one after too many failed login attempts, so the user cannot enter the account for a period of time. ("Her account went into lockout after she entered the wrong password five times.") Physical lockouts:* This is the most literal meaning: being unable to enter a building, room, or car because the door is locked. ("He had a lockout at his apartment and had to call a locksmith.") Device or system lockouts:* Some devices or apps block access until a password, code, or other check is completed. ("The tablet has an automatic lockout feature to protect sensitive data.")

In short, a lockout is about being shut out. Sometimes that happens because another person or organization is using it as a tactic, and sometimes it happens because a system or a locked door will not let you in.