WordGarden.iodeadlock
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈɛdlɒk/
US
- /ˈdɛdˌlɑk/
Meanings
Noun
a situation where no side can make progress or reach agreement
a computing state where processes wait on each other and cannot continue
Verb
to bring something to a point where no progress or agreement is possible
to enter or cause a computing state where processes cannot continue
Beyond the definition
Imagine two trains facing each other on the same single track—that's a deadlock! It describes a situation where no one can move forward because each side is blocking the other. Think of it like a stubborn tug-of-war where neither side will budge. Deadlocks aren't just about physical blockages; they happen in negotiations, politics, and even computer programming when processes get stuck waiting for each other. If talks between labor unions and company management reach a deadlock, it means they can't agree on anything and progress has stopped.
A deadlock is a situation where no progress can be made because each side has the power to block the other, and no one will (or can) give way. It's more than just a simple disagreement; it is a complete standstill. The term originally comes from the world of locks and keys: a "deadlock" (or deadbolt) is a lock that stays fixed in place until you turn the key.
You might hear about a "political deadlock" in government when opposing parties refuse to cooperate on important legislation. Or perhaps a negotiation reaches a "contractual deadlock" if both sides remain firm on their demands and cannot find common ground.
The concept extends beyond people, too! In computer science, a "deadlock" occurs when two or more programs are blocked indefinitely, each waiting for the other to release a resource. It's like a digital version of that stubborn tug-of-war.
Sometimes, you can also use it as a verb: talks can deadlock, meaning they stop because neither side will move. For example, "The project fell into a deadlock when the remaining partners couldn't agree on a new direction after the lead engineer resigned." It implies an inability to break free from a frustrating and unproductive situation.
So whether it's trains on tracks, politicians in debate, or programs on computers, a deadlock signifies a complete halt—a point where movement is impossible until someone (or something) gives way.
Examples
- 1
Labor talks
Talks between the company and the union ended in deadlock.
- 2
Political coalition
The two parties are still in deadlock over who should lead the coalition.
- Patterndeadlock over + issue
a situation where people cannot agree about it
- 3
Ending disagreement
A private meeting finally broke the deadlock.
- Phrasebreak the deadlock
find a way to end the disagreement and move forward
- 4
Election result
The election result created a deadlock in the city council.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Computing
The app froze because two parts of the program entered a deadlock.
- Domain
in computing, a deadlock is when each part is waiting for the other
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- political deadlock
- break the deadlock
- resolve a deadlock
- negotiations ended in deadlock
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- deadlocknounverb
Forms
- deadlockedpast tenseverbnoun
- deadlockspluralnounverb
- deadlocking-ing formverbnoun