Blackout black·​out | \ ˈblak-ˌau̇t
Definition of blackout (Entry 1 of 2) 1a : a turning off of the stage lighting to separate scenes in a play or end a play or skit also : a skit that ends with a blackout b : a period of darkness enforced as a precaution against air raids c : a period of darkness (as in a city) caused by a failure of electrical power 2 : a transient dulling or loss of vision, consciousness, or memory an alcoholic blackout 3a : a wiping out : OBLITERATION b : a blotting out by censorship : SUPPRESSION a news blackout 4 : a usually temporary loss of a radio signal 5 : the prohibition or restriction of the telecasting of a sports event 6 : a time during which a special commercial offer (as of tickets) is not valid —usually used attributively blackout dates black out verb blacked out; blacking out; blacks out Definition of black out (Entry 2 of 2) transitive verb 1a : BLOT OUT, ERASE blacked out the event from his mind b : to suppress by censorship black out the news 2 : to envelop in darkness black out the stage 3 : to make inoperative (as by a power failure) 4 : to impose a blackout on blacked out the local game intransitive verb 1 : to become enveloped in darkness 2 : to undergo a temporary loss of vision, consciousness, or memory