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

Washington has won 19 consecutive home games — the longest home win streak in modern school history — and will have a “Blackout” theme on the night it honors its seniors, a handful of whom have played for four head coaches going back to Chris Petersen.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

The pair received a score of 33 out of a possible 40 from the judges, with Craig Revel Horwood describing the "poignant blackout moment" as "absolutely spectacular".

From BBC

Last month, millions in Cuba were left without power for four days after issues with the country's old energy infrastructure caused a blackout.

From BBC

That blackout also coincided with Hurricane Oscar, a less powerful category one storm that left a trail of destruction along the island's north-eastern coast.

From BBC

Related Words

• collapse