lockup

noun

lock·​up ˈläk-ˌəp How to pronounce lockup (audio)
1
: jail
especially : a local jail where persons are detained prior to court hearing
2
: an act of locking : the state of being locked

Examples of lockup in a Sentence

the firm conviction that juvenile offenders should never be held in adult lockups
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But after Biden stepped aside, Trump Media stock tumbled, then sold off further last month as the end of the lockup period approached, allowing company insiders to sell their shares. Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2024 The former president, who owns around a 60% stake in Trump Media, has the option of selling his shares following the end of a lockup period last month which had prevented him from selling any part of his large share in the company. Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 That comes after the stock closed at $12.15 per share on Sept. 23 in the wake of the expiration of a six-month lockup period during which TMTG insiders were not allowed to sell their stock. Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Oct. 2024 After the lockup period on Donald Trump’s shares came to an end Friday, shares of Trump Media — the company that owns the former president’s social media site, Truth Social — have slid to new lows. Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lockup 

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lockup was in 1746

Dictionary Entries Near lockup

Cite this Entry

“Lockup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockup. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

lockup

noun
lock·​up -ˌəp How to pronounce lockup (audio)

Legal Definition

lockup

noun
lock·​up
1
: a cell or group of cells (as in a courthouse) or jail where persons are held prior to a court hearing compare house of correction, house of detention, jail, penitentiary, prison
2
: the tactic of arranging with a friendly party an option to buy a valuable portion of one's corporate assets in order to discourage a takeover by another party

More from Merriam-Webster on lockup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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