lockdown

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈlɒkˌdaʊn/, SAMPA: /"lQk%daUn/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈlɑkˌdaʊn/, SAMPA: /"lAk%daUn/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: lock‧down

Noun

Singular lockdown

Plural lockdowns

1. (countable) A lockdown is when people must stay in a room (or their prison cell) for safety after a disturbance or threat.

   The prisoners were placed in lockdown after the fight.

   The school was under lockdown after a bomb threat they heard over the Internet.