Lockdown
/ˈlɒkdaʊn/
Definitions
2 meaningsA state of confinement or restriction of movement, usually due to an emergency.
/ˈlɒkdaʊn/
A state of isolation or restriction, typically imposed as a security measure.
The city was placed under lockdown following a terrorist threat.
💡 Simply: Imagine everyone has to stay inside their homes because something is unsafe outside. That's a lockdown! It's like a big timeout for a whole town or city.
👶 For kids: When everyone has to stay inside and can't go out.
More Examples
The school went into lockdown as a precaution during the active shooter drill.
The sudden lockdown measures caused panic among residents.
How It's Used
"The prison went into lockdown after the escape attempt."
"During the pandemic, the city implemented a lockdown to control the spread of the virus."
"The school initiated a lockdown when there was a threat nearby."
To impose restrictions on the movement of people or access to a place.
/ˈlɒkdaʊn/
To put a place or a group of people in a state of confinement.
The police locked down the area after the robbery.
💡 Simply: To tell everyone they must stay in a building or area, so they can't leave. It's like putting a big lock on the doors.
👶 For kids: To close everything up so no one can come in or out.
More Examples
The school decided to lockdown all the classrooms after the bomb threat.
They had to lockdown the airport due to a security breach.
How It's Used
"The authorities locked down the building immediately."
"The hospital had to lockdown a specific wing after the infection was discovered."
Idioms & expressions
go into lockdown
To start a state of confinement or restriction.
"The city went into lockdown at midnight due to the severe weather."
lift a lockdown
To end a state of confinement or restriction.
"Authorities lifted the lockdown when they determined it was safe."
From "lock" (to secure) + "down" (in a state of restriction). The term initially emerged in prison contexts to describe a secure confinement of inmates. Its broader application, particularly in the context of public health emergencies, is a more recent development.
The term 'lockdown' gained prominence and widespread usage in non-prison contexts, particularly in the 21st century with the increased focus on school and public safety and public health emergencies.