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
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Reddick missed the first six games of the 2024 season with the Jets amid a contract holdout.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
As inflation and rising costs of everyday items have hit Americans hard in 2025, some continue to hold out hope for a stimulus check, rebate or dividend from the government.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdout
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Noun
Unsurprisingly, Bob Dylan was the lone holdout.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Reddick missed the first six games of the 2024 season with the Jets amid a contract holdout.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
McAlister returned for the Horned Frogs’ first drive of the third quarter, but was held out for the remainder of the game.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
As inflation and rising costs of everyday items have hit Americans hard in 2025, some continue to hold out hope for a stimulus check, rebate or dividend from the government.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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