Blackout

the extinguishing or concealment of all visible lights in a city, military post, etc., usually as a precaution against air raids.
a period during a massive power failure when the lack of electricity for illumination results in utter darkness except from emergency sources, as candles.
Theater.

the extinguishing of all stage lights, as in closing a vaudeville skit or separating the scenes of a play.
Also called blackout skit. a skit ending in a blackout.

Pathology.

temporary loss of consciousness or vision:
She suffered a blackout from the blow on the head.
a period of total memory loss, as one induced by an accident or prolonged alcoholic drinking:
The patient cannot account for the bizarre things he did during his blackout.

a brief, passing lapse of memory:
An actor may have an occasional blackout and forget a line or two.
complete stoppage of a communications medium, as by a strike, catastrophe, electrical storm, etc.:
a newspaper blackout; a radio blackout.
a stoppage, suppression, or obliteration:
a news blackout.
a period during which a special sales offer, fare rate, or other bargain is not available:
The airline’s discount on fares does not apply during the Christmas week blackout.
Radio and Television. a prohibition that is imposed on the broadcasting of an event and has the purpose of encouraging or ensuring ticket sales.
Historical Examples

Vigorish Gordon Randall Garrett
Vigorish Gordon Randall Garrett
Vigorish Gordon Randall Garrett
Vigorish Gordon Randall Garrett
Vigorish Gordon Randall Garrett

noun
the extinguishing or hiding of all artificial light, esp in a city visible to an enemy attack from the air
a momentary loss of consciousness, vision, or memory
a temporary electrical power failure or cut
(electronics) a temporary loss of sensitivity in a valve following a short strong pulse
a temporary loss of radio communications between a spacecraft and earth, esp on re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere
the suspension of radio or television broadcasting, as by a strike or for political reasons
verb (adverb)
(transitive) to obliterate or extinguish (lights)
(transitive) to create a blackout in (a city etc)
(intransitive) to lose vision, consciousness, or memory temporarily
(transitive, adverb) to stop (news, a television programme) from being released or broadcast
n.

Note: Rolling blackouts to match supply and demand have become increasingly common in the United States.