noun
deadlock
DEHD-lok
Deadlock (noun) means a complete standstill caused by two equally matched sides refusing to give way. Example: “Talks between the union and management ended in deadlock.”
noun
1
A complete standstill caused by two equally matched sides refusing to give way.
"Talks between the union and management ended in deadlock."
"The vote resulted in a deadlock, with neither side reaching a majority."
verb
1
To bring negotiations, a process, or a system to a complete standstill.
"The two committees deadlocked over the budget for weeks."
How to use deadlock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stalemate — a situation where neither side can move forward.
Common pairings
break the deadlock
political deadlock
end in deadlock
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Word forms
- Plural
- deadlocks
- Third person singular
- deadlocks
- Past tense
- deadlocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Talks between the union and management ended in _____.
Etymology
From dead plus lock, originally describing a lock that can't be moved once set.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for deadlock
See all rhymes for deadlock →Frequently asked questions
What does “deadlock” mean?
The word “deadlock” means a complete standstill caused by two equally matched sides refusing to give way. In plain terms, a stalemate — a situation where neither side can move forward.
How do you pronounce “deadlock”?
“Deadlock” is pronounced DEHD-lok (/ˈdɛdˌlɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “deadlock” in a sentence?
Here is “deadlock” used in a sentence: “Talks between the union and management ended in deadlock.”
What part of speech is “deadlock”?
Depending on how it is used, “deadlock” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “deadlock” have?
“Deadlock” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a complete standstill caused by two equally matched sides refusing to give way.
