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
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
While other teams were able to put an end to their contract holdouts, Micah Parsons still found himself without an extension.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
The games, messy negotiation tactics and the threat of holding out from regular-season contests simply became too much of a hassle to keep around.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdout
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Noun
With both Peacock and Fox One, Prime Video now provides access to four of the five national NFL packages (ESPN is still the lone holdout for now).
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
While other teams were able to put an end to their contract holdouts, Micah Parsons still found himself without an extension.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
For those holding out hope that Clark will be able to return to the court, the verdict has already been turned in.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
The games, messy negotiation tactics and the threat of holding out from regular-season contests simply became too much of a hassle to keep around.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2025.
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