blackout

Meaning

Noun

• A temporary loss of consciousness.
• A temporary loss of memory.
• An instance of censorship, especially a temporary one.
• A large-scale power failure, and resulting loss of electricity to consumers.
• The mandatory blocking of all light emanating from buildings, as well as outdoor and street lighting, as imposed during World War II.
• The blocking out of as much light as possible.

Origin

• From the verb phrase black out.