# lockup

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #49,465

## Definitions
1. A jail cell; a period of incarceration in such a cell; a facility containing such cells.
2. A storage unit with a door secured by a padlock or deadbolt; a garage.
3. A condition in which one or more of a vehicle's wheels suddenly cease to rotate due to the application of excessive brake torque, causing the affected wheel(s) to skid.
4. A condition where a system stops responding to inputs; a freeze.
5. A device for locking type into position for printing.
6. A fixed layout involving one or more logos and possibly related text.

## Etymology
Deverbal from lock up.

## Easily confused with
- **locus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lockup-vs-locus)
- **locum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lockup-vs-locum)
- **lookup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lockup-vs-lookup)
- **lock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lock-vs-lockup)
- **locks** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/locks-vs-lockup)
- **Locke** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/locke-vs-lockup)
- **locked** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/locked-vs-lockup)
- **locker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/locker-vs-lockup)
- **locket** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/locket-vs-lockup)
- **lockout** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lockout-vs-lockup)

## Common misspellings (9)
`lcokup`, `llockup`, `locckup`, `lockkup`, `lockpu`, `lockupp`, `locukp`, `lokcup`, `olckup`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lockup