hold·back
ˈhōl(d)-ˌbak 
1
: something that retains or restrains
2
a
: the act of holding back
b
: something held back
held back; holding back; holds back
1
a
: to hinder the progress or achievement of : restrain
b
: to keep from advancing to the next stage, grade, or level
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with
held back important information
1
: to keep oneself in check
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with something
Synonyms
Examples of holdback in a Sentence
Noun
there'll be a holdback on production until the new machinery is fully installed
the only holdback to starting the new job is my contractual commitment to my current position
Verb
the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation
held back her tears until she was alone
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
That's because the manufacturer will typically designate a holdback price, or a percentage of the MSRP or invoice.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The reason Cannes doesn’t show Netflix films is simply because of the film law in France, which defines a very long holdback period after a film can move from theatrical release to streaming.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 Oct. 2022
The Prime Video Original will launch worldwide on the streaming platform and will be available to linear TV and other outlets after a holdback, said Lozano.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Nov. 2022
The deal sees YouTube launching the series worldwide but with a one-year holdback in the French language, where France Télévisions has first-window exclusivity.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Oct. 2022
Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2023
In that video, Mooney is seen lying on a seat, while a man seemingly in security clothing tries to hold back a man in a white t-shirt who appears to be trying to run away.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
Blackburn’s crew managed to hold back the fire from moving up the mountainside.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
This time a year ago, dealerships said inventory issues were the top factor holding back their businesses.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
Or is he being held back by coaching and other offensive players?
— David Kattan, Longmeadow
Good question.
—Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
For now, Ukrainian forces say the arrival of American cluster munitions had not only raised morale, but also helped to pick apart Russian defensive positions in the south, keep pressure on Russian troops in the east and hold back Russian assaults in the northeast.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Habel and Bachelder’s form works beautifully to at once evoke and hold back the tide of information.
—Christine Smallwood, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023
Trump’s lawyers also cited Chutkan’s comments from the sentencing of a rioter who attacked police officers working to hold back the angry pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6.
—Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The best rooms look as though they've been decorated over time, like this one featuring a collection of distressed wood dressers, a metal bed frame, and antique drapery holdbacks.
—Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
That's because the manufacturer will typically designate a holdback price, or a percentage of the MSRP or invoice.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The reason Cannes doesn’t show Netflix films is simply because of the film law in France, which defines a very long holdback period after a film can move from theatrical release to streaming.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 Oct. 2022
The Prime Video Original will launch worldwide on the streaming platform and will be available to linear TV and other outlets after a holdback, said Lozano.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Nov. 2022
The deal sees YouTube launching the series worldwide but with a one-year holdback in the French language, where France Télévisions has first-window exclusivity.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Oct. 2022
Verb
Still, Ukraine has shown its clear ability to hold back Russia and prevent major advances along the front lines.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2023
In that video, Mooney is seen lying on a seat, while a man seemingly in security clothing tries to hold back a man in a white t-shirt who appears to be trying to run away.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
Blackburn’s crew managed to hold back the fire from moving up the mountainside.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
This time a year ago, dealerships said inventory issues were the top factor holding back their businesses.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
Or is he being held back by coaching and other offensive players?
— David Kattan, Longmeadow
Good question.
—Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
For now, Ukrainian forces say the arrival of American cluster munitions had not only raised morale, but also helped to pick apart Russian defensive positions in the south, keep pressure on Russian troops in the east and hold back Russian assaults in the northeast.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Habel and Bachelder’s form works beautifully to at once evoke and hold back the tide of information.
—Christine Smallwood, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023
Trump’s lawyers also cited Chutkan’s comments from the sentencing of a rioter who attacked police officers working to hold back the angry pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6.
—Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holdback.' 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
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near holdback
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdback. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
hold back
verb1
: to make difficult the progress or achievement of
2
: to keep from revealing or giving
held back important information
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