lockdown
noun
lock·down
ˈläk-ˌdau̇n
plural lockdowns
1
: the confinement of prisoners to their cells for all or most of the day as a temporary security measure
2
a
: an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area or building (such as a school) during a threat of danger
For those of you unfamiliar with a school lockdown, it basically means that … when there is a threat of danger, the doors to all the classrooms and offices are locked.—Anne Sponholtz
lockdown drills/procedures
b
: a temporary condition imposed by governmental authorities (as during the outbreak of an epidemic disease) in which most people are required to refrain from or limit activities outside the home involving public contact (such as dining out or attending large gatherings)
Authorities placed the central Chinese city under lockdown on Jan. 23 after the virus had infected hundreds of residents and was just starting its spread across the globe.—Darryl Coote
The San Francisco Bay Area lockdown and national guidelines signal a rapid escalation of government and business efforts to halt the coronavirus spread via restrictions that will slam the brakes on economic activity.—Ed Carson
While most people are at home during lockdown, essential workers are still on the front lines and need their children to be looked after.—George Heagney
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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