Looking up...
lockdown
/ˈlɒkdaʊn/
strict confinement to prevent spread
The government imposed a lockdown to curb the virus.
A strict confinement was enforced to control the virus.
Medicine
formal
A strict confinement of people to a restricted area, typically enforced by authorities to prevent the spread of a contagious disease.
During the pandemic, many countries implemented lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Governments enforced lockdowns to reduce the virus's transmission.
Primarily used in public health contexts, especially during pandemics.
Law
formal
A state of restricted movement or activity, often imposed by authorities to control a situation, such as a prison lockdown or security lockdown.
The prison went into lockdown after a riot broke out.
Authorities secured the prison by restricting movement.
Used in security and correctional contexts.
informal
A period of intense focus or restriction, often used metaphorically in non-literal contexts.
She went into lockdown mode to finish her project before the deadline.
She isolated herself to concentrate fully on her work.
Common in informal or metaphorical usage.
Collocations
go into lockdownto begin a lockdownlift the lockdownto end a lockdownlockdown measuresrestrictions during a lockdown
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'lockdown' carefully—it can refer to health, security, or metaphorical situations.
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
In formal contexts, use 'lockdown' for official restrictions; in informal contexts, it can describe intense focus.
Word Origin
From 'lock' + 'down', suggesting a state of being secured or restricted.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in public health and security contexts, but has expanded to metaphorical usage in recent years.
Word Breakdown
lock
to secure or fasten
rootdown
in a restricted or subdued state
suffixEnglish Dictionary