deadlock

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈdɛˌdlɑk/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible, typically because of a disagreement or opposition between two or more parties.; In computing, a situation where two or more processes are each waiting for the other to release a resource, so that none of them can proceed.; A type of lock that can only be opened from one side, typically used on doors for added security.
  2. verb
    To cause or come to a state where no progress is possible; to bring to a standstill.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: deadlocks 3rd sing.: deadlocks Past: deadlocked Past part.: deadlocked Pres part.: deadlocking

Collocations

reach a deadlockbreak the deadlockat a deadlockin deadlockend in deadlock

Derivatives

deadlocked

Synonyms

stalemateimpassestandoffgridlocklogjam

Antonyms

breakthroughresolution

Commonly confused

gridlock
EN: 'Gridlock' originally refers to traffic paralysis and by extension political paralysis; 'deadlock' is broader, applying to any situation where opposing parties cannot make progress.
stalemate
EN: 'Stalemate' originates from chess and implies neither side can win; 'deadlock' emphasizes mutual inability to proceed, often in negotiations or computing.

Spelling tips

EN: No common spelling issues. Note it is one word, not 'dead lock'.

💬 Examples

  1. The negotiations reached a deadlock after both sides refused to compromise.

  2. The database system encountered a deadlock when two transactions tried to lock the same rows simultaneously.

  3. She installed a deadlock on the front door for extra protection at night.

  4. The committee deadlocked over the budget proposal, with members evenly split.