lockup
word
Definition
A lockup is a small jail or cell, usually for short-term detention. It can also refer generally to the act of locking something up, especially a place where someone is kept locked inside.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly used informally or in law enforcement contexts in the US. Refers to short-term holding, not a full prison. Can be a noun ('in the lockup') or used as part of phrases about locking things away. Sometimes used in finance for periods when stocks can't be traded (financial lockup), but this is less common.
Example Sentences
There is a small lockup at the local police station.
basic
The police took the thief to the lockup.
basic
He spent the night in the lockup for drunk driving.
basic
Don’t worry, it’s just a lockup—you’ll be out by morning.
natural
After the fight, the men were tossed in the lockup until morning.
natural
The suspect was held in the lockup while the officers finished paperwork.
natural