lockdown

2 definitions • 6 examples

an emergency situation in which people are not allowed to freely enter, leave, or move around in a building or area because of danger:

Police imposed a lockdown in the building until the shooter could be stopped.

in lockdown The entire city was in lockdown.

a period of time in which people are not allowed to leave their homes or travel freely, because of a dangerous disease:

It’s important for parents to find ways to keep kids active during lockdown.

The government has been attempting to eliminate the virus in Auckland by imposing a lockdown.

We’ve had weeks and weeks of lockdown with this pandemic, so it’s normal to feel anxious.

on lockdown The prime minister placed the UK on lockdown with drastic new measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak.