holdout

1 of 2

noun

hold·​out ˈhōld-ˌau̇t How to pronounce holdout (audio)
: one that holds out (as in negotiations)
also : an instance of holding out

hold out

2 of 2

verb

held out; holding out; holds out

intransitive verb

1
: to remain unsubdued or unyielding
where 30 of the … refugees were still holding outAnna 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

transitive verb

1
: to present as something realizable : proffer
2
: to represent to be
Phrases
hold out on
: to withhold something (such as information) from

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
Noun
In this sense, U.S. policymakers can learn from another time in history when the United States was one of the last holdouts protecting an ally facing worldwide condemnation: apartheid-era South Africa. Rochelle Terman, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2024 But one critical group of holdouts remains: some of India’s richest states, the engine of its rapid growth. Hari Kumar, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024 Thirty percent were deemed EV holdouts who intended to never buy one. Steve Mollman, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024 Once Su’s nomination is out of committee, her supporters could restart efforts to convince Democratic holdouts to bring her confirmation to the Senate floor for a full vote. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The one holdout was Latina and seemed to be about thirty, Dunn recalled. Jennifer Gonnerman, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2024 McConnell remains the sole holdout among top leadership. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024 But following a decision by leaders in Turkey earlier this year to approve Sweden’s accession to the alliance, leaving Hungary as the only holdout, Orban took steps to allow the process to move forward. Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 Germany – Europe’s largest economy, and a notable holdout from toeing the Washington line on a blanket ban on Huawei and ZTE equipment – has been noncommittal. Eva Dou, Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
Unlike Beneš, Zelensky has been able to hold out against the Russians for two years with strong support from the United States and European allies, who understood that failing this, Putin’s aggression against Ukraine would not be his last. TIME, 16 Apr. 2024 Even so, advocates are still holding out hope that the tax bill could pass. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024 Greyson held out a thumbs up, placing one arm around his sister, who cuddled into his neck. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024 Adults watched their little ones make their way round the arena, holding out their hand for a congratulatory high five as their child whipped by them. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024 The media was held out of the clubhouse for over 20 minutes following the game and team owner Mark Walter was on hand. Bill Plunkett, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 The White House appeared to be holding out hope for the possibility of eventually restoring funding to UNRWA, which supports Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, once the agency concludes its investigation and takes steps toward reform. Robert Jimison, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 But after decades of habitat destruction, these handsome insects are now fragmented and locally extinct, holding out in the wettest fens, valleys, and peat bogs of the New Forest and Dorset. Matthew Ponsford, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 However, Hamas has been holding out for a permanent cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holdout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of holdout was circa 1556

Dictionary Entries Near holdout

Cite this Entry

“Holdout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdout. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

hold out

verb
1
: to remain in being : last
hope the food holds out
2
: to remain unyielding : refuse to surrender or give in
held out until help arrived
holdout
ˈhōl-ˌdau̇t
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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