1. an end of a street, alley, etc. that has no regular exit
2. a situation from which there seems no way to escape, move forward, etc.; an impasse

adjective

1. having only one exit or outlet a dead-end street
2. giving no opportunity for progress or advancement a dead-end job
3. ☆

   Etymology: after Dead End, a play (1935) by Sidney Kingsley about New York slum life

   Informal of or characteristic of slums or slum life

intransitive verb

1. to terminate in a dead end: said as of a street
2. to reach or come to a dead end to dead-end in a middle management position