[black.out] n (1913) 1 a: a turning off of the stage lighting to separate scenes in a play or end a play or skit; also: a skit that ends with a blackout b: a period of darkness enforced as a precaution against air raids c: a period of darkness (as in a city) caused by a failure of electrical power
2: a transient dulling or loss of vision, consciousness, or memory "an alcoholic ~" 3 a: a wiping out: obliteration b: a blotting out by censorship: suppression "a news ~"
4: a usu. temporary loss of a radio signal
5: the prohibition or restriction of the telecasting of a sports event