hold·out
ˈhōld-ˌau̇t 
held out; holding out; holds out
1
: to remain unsubdued or unyielding
where 30 of the … refugees were still holding out—
Anna Tomforde
Anna Tomforde
also
: to continue to function or be available : last entry 1
prayed that the engine would hold out
as long as our money holds out
2
: to refuse to go along with others in a concerted action or to come to an agreement
holding out for a shorter workweek
Examples of holdout in a Sentence
Noun
He says he might be a holdout at the start of the next season if the team doesn't agree to pay him more.
He is expected to end his three-week holdout and join the team tomorrow.
A few holdouts still use typewriters, but nearly everybody uses computers now.
Verb
we hoped our supply of firewood would hold out until power was restored
luckily, the old outboard motor held out till we made it to shore
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Toyota goes after the holdouts with the new 2026 model, which adds smarter electronics, standard hybrid power and a mildly adventurous GR Sport trim level.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Julian Hill, who has started the first seven games for the Dolphins, and 22 games over the past three seasons, suffered a significant ankle injury, and has been held out of practice all of this week, and will not play against the Falcons.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdout
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Noun
The move leaves Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as the last major holdout among state Democratic leadership.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Toyota goes after the holdouts with the new 2026 model, which adds smarter electronics, standard hybrid power and a mildly adventurous GR Sport trim level.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Huisentruit’s family continues to hold out hope for closure.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Julian Hill, who has started the first seven games for the Dolphins, and 22 games over the past three seasons, suffered a significant ankle injury, and has been held out of practice all of this week, and will not play against the Falcons.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdout
Cite this Entry
“Holdout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdout. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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