blackout
blackout Lexical Profile
blackout Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A temporary loss of electrical power and lighting in a given area.
"The severe thunderstorm caused a citywide blackout that lasted for several hours."
A sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, vision, or memory.
"The patient experienced a brief blackout after standing up too quickly."
An official suppression or censorship of news, information, or broadcasting.
"The authorities imposed a strict media blackout during the sensitive negotiations."
A mandatory extinguishing or concealment of all visible lights in a city or region as a precaution against nighttime air raids.
"During the wartime blackout, residents hung heavy dark curtains over every window."
Word Nuance & Usage
The closed compound noun 'blackout' should be distinguished from the two-word phrasal verb 'black out' (meaning to lose consciousness or extinguish lights).
• Rhymes for blackout
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 20th century from the phrasal verb 'black out', originally referring to the sudden extinguishing of stage lights in a theater before being widely adopted during World War II for wartime air-raid precautions.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.