holdover

1 of 2

noun

hold·​over ˈhōld-ˌō-vər 

: one that is held over

hold over

2 of 2

verb

held over; holding over; holds over

intransitive verb

: to continue (as in office) for a prolonged period

transitive verb

1

a

: postpone, defer

b

: to retain in a condition or position from an earlier period

2

: to prolong the engagement of

the film was held over another week

Synonyms of holdover

Verb

• postpone
• delay
• defer
• put over

Examples of holdover in a Sentence

Noun

He is the only holdover from their last championship team.

This policy is a holdover from the previous administration.

Verb

the golf tournament had to be held over until the line of thunderstorms had passed through

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As Sullivan pieces those holdovers from the previous regime together with his first full free agency class in 2027 and a second draft class, the roster could really start to come together in another year. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

Contractually, the only holdovers on the roster are lightly threatening players like Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jović. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Verb

Though uncertainty remains around the details, the enduring heat wave is expected to begin taking hold over the June 27-28 weekend, then expand and endure through at least July 4. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Satellite image ©2026 Vantor via AP Some people began to carry off basic goods such as toilet paper and food from stores in Catia La Mar, a neighborhood in La Guaira that holds over 200 housing towers. — CBS News, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1647, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for holdover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover
• pullover

Kids Definition

hold over

verb

: to continue beyond a normal or planned time

the movie was held over for three weeks

holdover

ˈhōl-ˌdō-vər

noun

Legal Definition

hold over

intransitive verb

: to remain in a position or condition

one who holds over in possession of a building after the expiration of a term of years

—B. N. Cardozo

holdover noun