walkout

or walk-out

[ wawk-out ]

noun

1. a strike by workers.
2. the act of leaving or being absent from a meeting, especially as an expression of protest.
3. a doorway in a building or room that gives direct access to the outdoors:

   a home with a sliding-glass walkout from the living room to the patio.

adjective

1. having a doorway that gives direct access to the outdoors:

   a walkout basement.

Word History and Origins

Origin of walkout¹

1885–90, Americanism; noun, adj. use of verb phrase walk out

Example Sentences

Students plan a walkout in protest of the school district’s decision this week.

From Los Angeles Times

Industrial action was due to begin on Thursday and a walkout was also planned for next Tuesday.

From BBC

The walkout by around 30,000 Boeing workers started on 13 September, leading to a dramatic slowdown at the plane maker's factories and deepening a crisis at the company.

From BBC

She was a lightning rod for criticism by Hollywood workers, particularly during last year’s walkouts.

From Los Angeles Times

But workers staging walkouts were not included in last month's jobs data, which contributed to the overall non-farm payrolls being lower.

From BBC

Related Words

• object
• protest