blackout

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A period when electric power or lighting fails or is deliberately switched off across an area.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a blackout' or 'blackouts'.

   Patterns

   • a blackout in something
   • cause a blackout
   • during a blackout

   The storm caused a blackout that lasted for hours.

   During the blackout, we used candles and flashlights.

   The city announced rolling blackouts to save energy.

2. 2nouncountablemedical

   A temporary loss of consciousness or memory.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with 'have' or 'experience'.

   Patterns

   • have a blackout
   • experience a blackout
   • a blackout from drinking

   He had a blackout after hitting his head.

   She experienced a blackout and couldn't remember the accident.

   Blackouts can be a symptom of a medical condition.

3. 3nouncountableformal

   A deliberate suppression of information or news.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in media or political contexts.

   Patterns

   • a news blackout
   • impose a blackout on something

   The government imposed a news blackout during the crisis.

   There was a media blackout on the details of the operation.

Word forms

Common combinations

power blackout

The power blackout left the entire neighborhood in darkness.

rolling blackout

Rolling blackouts are common during heat waves.

news blackout

The news blackout prevented any information from leaking.

blackout curtains

She hung blackout curtains to keep the room dark.

Synonyms and how they differ

power cut

British; a sudden loss of electricity, often for a short time.

outage

More formal; a period when power is not available, often used in technical contexts.

faint

A brief loss of consciousness; not used for power failures.

Word family

black out phrasal verb

To lose consciousness or memory temporarily.

Practice

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