deadlock

Universal Words noun 1 [sing.,U] a complete failure to reach agreement or settle a dispute: European agriculture ministers failed to break the deadlock over farm subsidies. * (BrE) The strike appeared to have reached deadlock. * (AmE, BrE) The strike has reached a deadlock. 2 [C] (BrE) (also deadbolt AmE, BrE) a type of lock on a door that needs a key to open or close it deadlocked adjective [notbeforenoun]: Despite months of discussion the negotiations remained deadlocked.