What does "blackout" mean?
A temporary loss of consciousness.
Blackout
/ˈblæk.aʊt/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A temporary loss of consciousness.
- Grammar: blackout is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: agnosia, amnesia, amnesia, anoxia.
- Useful contrasts: awake, consciousness, full disclosure.
- Usage evidence: Put out the candle. The blackout is over.
How to use "blackout"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "blackout" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "blackout" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "blackout" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "blackout" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "blackout" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "agnosia" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "blackout", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A temporary loss of consciousness. countable, uncountable
- 2 partial or total loss of memory wordnet
- 3 A temporary loss of memory. countable, uncountable
"“I mean, what is she even talking about? Got her pregnant at the Halloween party? What does that mean? I don't even remember that party. I was wasted.” “Yeah, me too. I browned out that evening.” “"browned out"? What's "browned out"?” “Oh, it's when you drink so much that everything goes brown. It's not as severe as a blackout, 'cause I remember bits and pieces. I like to call it "browning out."”"
- 4 a momentary loss of consciousness wordnet
- 5 A large-scale power failure, and resulting loss of electricity to consumers. countable, uncountable
"The repairs at the Koeberg Power Station in the Western Cape were on schedule for completion in the third week of May. This follows huge blackouts related to the problems at the power supplier since November."
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 the failure of electric power for a general region wordnet
- 7 An instance of censorship, especially a temporary one. countable, uncountable
"media blackout"
- 8 darkness resulting from the extinction of lights (as in a city invisible to enemy aircraft) wordnet
- 9 An intentional outage of a website or other online service, typically as a form of protest. Internet, countable, uncountable
"the 2012 English Wikipedia blackout"
- 10 a suspension of radio or tv broadcasting wordnet
- 11 The mandatory blocking of all light emanating from buildings, as well as outdoor and street lighting as a measure against aerial bombing or naval attack, as imposed during, e.g., World War II. countable, historical, uncountable
"In co-operation with the Government departments, the British railway companies prepared their stations, offices, docks, hotels, trains, and other premises for the necessary blackout of lighting that it was realised would be required in a state of emergency, and in the case of the experimental voluntary blackouts which took place in July and August the railway companies concerned co-operated in every way possible."
- 12 The blocking out of as much light as possible. attributive, countable, uncountable
"blackout blinds; blackout curtains"
- 13 A mass murder committed, usually in an urban area, to eliminate potential witnesses of a previous crime. countable, rare, slang, uncountable
Verb
- 1 Alternative form of black out. alt-of, alternative, nonstandard
"Scouts assisted Mabel Smythe Building officials in blackouting windows."
Antonyms
Example
"Put out the candle. The blackout is over."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "blackout"?
Common synonyms include: agnosia, amnesia, amnesia, anoxia, asteroid, asteroids.
How do you use "blackout" in a sentence?
Put out the candle. The blackout is over.
How do you pronounce "blackout"?
Pronounced /ˈblæk.aʊt/.
Etymology
Deverbal from black out.