blackout

[ blak-out ]

noun

1. the extinguishing or concealment of all visible lights in a city, military post, etc., usually as a precaution against air raids.
2. a period during a massive power failure when the lack of electricity for illumination results in utter darkness except from emergency sources, as candles.
3. Theater.
   1. the extinguishing of all stage lights, as in closing a vaudeville skit or separating the scenes of a play.
   2. Also called blackout skit. a skit ending in a blackout.
4. Pathology.
   1. temporary loss of consciousness or vision:

      She suffered a blackout from the blow on the head.

   2. a period of total memory loss, as one induced by an accident or prolonged alcoholic drinking:

      The patient cannot account for the bizarre things he did during his blackout.

5. a brief, passing lapse of memory:

   An actor may have an occasional blackout and forget a line or two.

6. complete stoppage of a communications medium, as by a strike, catastrophe, electrical storm, etc.: a radio blackout.

   a newspaper blackout;

   a radio blackout.

7. a stoppage, suppression, or obliteration:

   a news blackout.

8. a period during which a special sales offer, fare rate, or other bargain is not available:

   The airline's discount on fares does not apply during the Christmas week blackout.

9. Radio and Television. a prohibition that is imposed on the broadcasting of an event and has the purpose of encouraging or ensuring ticket sales.

blackout

/ ˈblækaʊt /

noun

1. the extinguishing or hiding of all artificial light, esp in a city visible to an enemy attack from the air
2. a momentary loss of consciousness, vision, or memory
3. a temporary electrical power failure or cut
4. electronics a temporary loss of sensitivity in a valve following a short strong pulse
5. a temporary loss of radio communications between a spacecraft and earth, esp on re-entry into the earth's atmosphere
6. the suspension of radio or television broadcasting, as by a strike or for political reasons

verb

1. tr to obliterate or extinguish (lights)
2. tr to create a blackout in (a city etc)
3. intr to lose vision, consciousness, or memory temporarily
4. tr, adverb to stop (news, a television programme) from being released or broadcast

blackout

1. The complete loss of electrical power in a particular area. Blackouts can result from a natural disaster, a manmade catastrophe, or simply from an excess of energy demand over supply. ( Compare brownout .)

Notes

Rolling blackouts to match supply and demand have become increasingly common in the United States.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackout¹

First recorded in 1910–15; noun use of verb phrase black out

Example Sentences

Russian missiles and drones also targeted power structure across Ukraine on Sunday, killing at least 10 people and causing blackouts.

From BBC

The weekend saw intense Russian attacks against Ukraine's power grid, causing large-scale blackouts.

From BBC

Less than two weeks ago, Hurricane Rafael caused a nationwide blackout when it hit Cuba.

From BBC

The blackouts and memory loss were, in fact, side-effects of the drugs her husband was giving her without her knowledge.

From BBC

“Just immediate blackout, actually. Zero thoughts,” he told the magazine.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• collapse