a point where two sides in a dispute cannot agree nouna point where two sides in a dispute cannot agree ExampleThe negotiations have reached deadlock or a deadlock.Usageto break a deadlockto find a way to start discussions again after being at a point where no agreement was possibleverbto be unable to agree to continue negotiationsUsagetalks have been deadlocked for ten daysafter ten days the talks have not produced any agreement to be unable to agree to continue negotiations