noun

lockup

Lockup (noun) means a jail cell, or a short spell locked up in one. Example: “He spent the night in the local lockup after the fight.”

noun

A jail cell, or a short spell locked up in one.

"He spent the night in the local lockup after the fight."

"The suspect was held in the lockup pending questioning."

A small lockable storage unit or garage.

"She keeps the motorbike in a rented lockup near the station."

A moment when a vehicle's wheels suddenly stop turning because the brakes have been slammed on, causing a skid.

"The car went into a lockup on the wet road and slid into the barrier."

A situation where a computer or system freezes and stops responding.

"The app suffered a lockup and had to be force-quit."

How to use lockup

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA place where someone or something is locked away — a cell, a small garage, or (more loosely) a system freeze or a sudden wheel-skid.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "lockup" (the noun) with the phrasal verb "lock up" (to lock up a building).

Common pairings

thrown in the lockup rent a lockup brake lockup

Word forms

lockups plural

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He spent the night in the local _____ after the fight.

Etymology

Deverbal from lock up.

Synonyms

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locking

Related words

Locking

Rhymes for lockup

mockup

See all rhymes for lockup →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lockup” mean?

The word “lockup” means a jail cell, or a short spell locked up in one. In plain terms, a place where someone or something is locked away — a cell, a small garage, or (more loosely) a system freeze or a sudden wheel-skid.

How do you use “lockup” in a sentence?

Here is “lockup” used in a sentence: “He spent the night in the local lockup after the fight.”

What part of speech is “lockup”?

“Lockup” is a noun.

How many meanings does “lockup” have?

“Lockup” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a jail cell, or a short spell locked up in one.

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