lockdown
noun /ˈlɒkdaʊn/
/ˈlɑːkdaʊn/
[countable, uncountable] (especially North American English)- an official order to control the movement of people or vehicles because of a dangerous situation
- a three-day lockdown of American airspace
- Prisoners have been placed on lockdown to prevent further violence at the jail.
- The prison governor ordered an instant lockdown (= prisoners were locked in their cells).
- The city schools were in lockdown.