deadlock
n.A situation in computing where two or more programs get stuck because each is waiting for the other to finish using something, so nobody can move forward. It is like two people blocking each other in a narrow hall.
n.A specific concurrency failure where two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for a resource held by another. This creates a cycle of dependencies that cannot be resolved without external intervention. In general English, it also refers to a disagreement where neither side will give in.
“The system crashed because a deadlock occurred between the two main database tasks.”
“When the printer script and the scanner script both requested the same memory block, they hit a deadlock.”
“Without a proper resource hierarchy, your multi-threaded application might encounter a deadlock where Thread A waits for Thread B indefinitely.”
Often used with the verbs 'reach', 'break', or 'resolve'.
“Taiwan parliament ends deadlock, ensuring vital drone programme funding amid rising cross-strait tensions with Beijing.”
“Colchester who broke the deadlock after 24 minutes when Ellis Iandolo headed home.”
From dead + lock.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.