1. The act of confining prisoners to their cells (usually to regain control during a riot)
   "The prison went into lockdown after violence erupted in the yard"
    
2. A state of isolation and restricted access or travel, e.g. to contain an infectious disease or prevent movement of dangerous people
   "The city imposed a lockdown to slow the spread of the virus"

Derived forms: lockdowns

Type of: imprisonment, internment

Encyclopedia: Lockdown