B2 noun Neutre

blackout

/ˈblæk.aʊt/

A blackout refers to a temporary loss of electrical power over an area or a sudden failure of memory or consciousness in an individual. It can also describe a period of censorship where information or news is intentionally suppressed by an authority.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

The heavy storm caused a total blackout in our neighborhood for several hours last night.

The severe weather led to a complete loss of electricity in the local area for a duration of time.

2

The military command issued a strict news blackout during the high-stakes rescue operation.

The army ordered a ban on all media reports while the important mission was taking place.

3

I had a complete blackout after the party and couldn't remember how I got home.

I experienced a total loss of memory following the social event and lacked recollection of the journey.

Famille de mots

Nom
blackout
Verb
black out
Adjectif
blacked-out
Apparenté
darkness
💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'black' screen when the power is 'out'. Everything goes black and stays out.

Quiz rapide

The city was plunged into a ____ after the main power station was struck by lightning.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : blackout

Exemples

1

The heavy storm caused a total blackout in our neighborhood for several hours last night.

everyday

The severe weather led to a complete loss of electricity in the local area for a duration of time.

2

The military command issued a strict news blackout during the high-stakes rescue operation.

formal

The army ordered a ban on all media reports while the important mission was taking place.

3

I had a complete blackout after the party and couldn't remember how I got home.

informal

I experienced a total loss of memory following the social event and lacked recollection of the journey.

4

Sociological studies often analyze the correlation between an extended blackout and changes in urban crime rates.

academic

Academic research explores the link between long power failures and shifts in criminal activity in cities.

5

To prevent leaks, the CEO requested a temporary communication blackout regarding the merger.

business

The executive asked for a pause in all company messages about the business deal to stop secrets from spreading.

Famille de mots

Nom
blackout
Verb
black out
Adjectif
blacked-out
Apparenté
darkness

Collocations courantes

total blackout a complete loss of all light or power
news blackout a period when no news is allowed to be released
rolling blackout intentionally engineered electrical outages distributed across different areas
experience a blackout to go through a period of power loss or memory loss
temporary blackout a short-lived period of darkness or suppression

Phrases Courantes

media blackout

a situation where no information is given to the press

information blackout

the deliberate withholding of knowledge or facts

stage blackout

turning off all lights in a theater between scenes

Souvent confondu avec

blackout vs brownout

A brownout is a partial drop in voltage, while a blackout is a complete loss of power.

blackout vs faint

A faint is the physical act of losing consciousness, whereas a blackout can also refer to electricity or censorship.

📝

Notes d'usage

Use 'blackout' as a single word for the noun; use 'black out' as two words for the verb (e.g., 'I might black out'). It is versatile, applying to electricity, medical states, and journalism.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners often use the verb form 'black out' when they need the noun 'blackout'. They might also confuse it with 'darkness', which is a state, whereas a blackout is an event.

💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'black' screen when the power is 'out'. Everything goes black and stays out.

📖

Origine du mot

Originally used in the theater in the 1910s for turning off lights; became widely used during WWII to describe extinguishing lights to hide from enemy bombers.

Modèles grammaticaux

Countable noun Plural form: blackouts Often follows verbs like 'cause', 'order', or 'suffer'
🌍

Contexte culturel

During World War II, 'blackouts' were mandatory procedures in cities like London to prevent enemy aircraft from identifying targets by their lights.

Quiz rapide

The city was plunged into a ____ after the main power station was struck by lightning.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : blackout

Mots lis

exarchness

C1

The state or quality of being an exarch, specifically referring to the authoritative status or regional jurisdiction of a deputy ruler or high-ranking ecclesiastical official. It describes the inherent power and dignity associated with governing a province or diocese on behalf of a higher sovereign.

perihumer

C1

A technical term referring to the anatomical region or specific tissue structures immediately surrounding the humerus bone in the upper arm. It is primarily used in orthopedic medicine and physical therapy to describe areas of concern during surgery, injury assessment, or prosthetic fitting.

microfluship

C1

A precise, automated release of a minimal amount of fluid or data used to clear a micro-system or reset high-sensitivity sensors. It is typically employed in microfluidic engineering and advanced computing to prevent sediment buildup or signal noise.

antiponness

C1

The quality or state of being opposed to or averse to hard labor, toil, or physical exertion. It describes a deep-seated resistance to performing arduous tasks, often found in philosophical or psychological discussions about the nature of work.

forenumerary

C1

Describes something that pertains to an initial or preliminary counting or listing that occurs before the main enumeration. It is typically used in administrative, historical, or technical contexts to refer to items or individuals recorded ahead of a final official tally.

detangite

C1

To separate components, strands, or ideas that have become intricately intertwined or knotted. It is most frequently used in formal or technical contexts to describe the process of unravelling a complex situation, data set, or physical structure.

unitangine

C1

Describing a process or system that operates through a single point of contact or a singular, unbranching focus. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote a direct and isolated interaction between two entities.

enjectment

C1

Ejectment is a legal action or remedy brought by a person who claims title to real property to recover possession of that property. It is primarily used to remove a tenant or squatter who is wrongfully occupying the land and to settle disputes regarding the rightful owner's title.

invertite

C1

Describing something that has been reversed in position, order, or nature, or turned upside down. It is a highly specialized or archaic term used primarily in technical, historical, or biological contexts to denote a state of inversion.

malteghood

C1

Describing a state marked by deep-seated communal loyalty and historical resilience. It refers to qualities or behaviors that prioritize the preservation of a group's collective identity and shared fortitude above individual interests.

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