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

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

Lombardi didn’t hold back letting UNC’s personnel staffers, a mix of holdovers and new hires, know why. —The Athletic Colleges Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Among those projects was an Obama-era holdover known as the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

Verb

Bonus points for its modern silhouette and spacious interior, which is designed to hold over two dozen pairs of shoes. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025

Before the days of our handy appliance, bread was held over the fire with a long fork. —Tammy Algood, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025

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