blackout

A loss of electricity across a large area, leaving lights and electrical equipment without power.

• The blackout left us in darkness.
• We used candles during last night's blackout.
• Storms caused blackouts across the region.

Similar words: power cut, power outage

Common phrases: power blackout, citywide blackout, during a blackout

A short period when you lose consciousness or cannot remember what happened.

• He had a brief blackout.
• After the blackout, she could not remember leaving the party.
• The doctor asked whether I had experienced any blackouts.

Similar words: memory lapse, loss of consciousness

Common phrases: have a blackout, alcohol blackout, brief blackout

A period when news or other information is deliberately prevented from reaching the public.

• The government ordered a news blackout.
• Journalists protested against the media blackout.
• A blackout on trial coverage kept the public uninformed.

How to use it: blackout on something (The authorities imposed a blackout on news of the protests.)

Similar words: news ban, reporting ban

Common phrases: media blackout, news blackout, press blackout

A planned temporary closing of a website or online service, often to protest against something.

• The website held a one-day blackout.
• Users saw a protest message during the blackout.
• Several online services joined the blackout against the proposed law.

Similar words: shutdown

Common phrases: website blackout, internet blackout, online blackout