noun

deadlock

DEHD-lok

noun

A complete standstill caused by two equally matched sides refusing to give way.

"Talks between the union and management ended in deadlock."

"The vote resulted in a deadlock, with neither side reaching a majority."

verb

To bring negotiations, a process, or a system to a complete standstill.

"The two committees deadlocked over the budget for weeks."

How to Use Deadlock

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA stalemate — a situation where neither side can move forward.

Common pairings

break the deadlock political deadlock end in deadlock

deadlocked past tense, deadlocks plural, deadlocks singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Talks between the union and management ended in _____.

From dead plus lock, originally describing a lock that can't be moved once set.

padlock headlock