holdup

noun

hold·up | \ ˈhōld-ˌəp

Definition of holdup

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : delay

2 : a robbery carried out at gunpoint

hold up

verb

held up; holding up; holds up

Definition of hold up (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to rob at gunpoint

2 : delay, impede

3 : to call attention to : single out his work was held up to ridicule hold this up as perfection — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

: to continue in the same condition without failing or losing effectiveness or force she's holding up under the strain music that holds up twenty years later

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about holdup

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Examples of holdup in a Sentence

Noun

There have been a series of holdups at local banks. a holdup in construction due to the weather

Verb

held up mail delivery until we had a permanent address traffic was held up for miles by the accident

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

That understanding, shared widely by economists and policy makers, saw the automobile industry as the cause of the slowdown, with holdups in certifying model types for compliance with new emission standards holding back output. — Paul Hannon, WSJ, "Eurozone Economy Grew More Slowly Than Previously Estimated," 7 Dec. 2018 Barnett was a 25-year-old who was identified as a robbery suspect moments after a Taco Bell holdup in 1990. — Ryan Martin, Indianapolis Star, "Aaron Bailey family receives $650,000 settlement from Indianapolis," 26 June 2018 In both of the holdups that occurred on Jan. 2, police said, two suspects were arrested by responding officers. — Martin Weil, Washington Post, "Teenager charged in robberies at four businesses in DC, police say," 24 Jan. 2018 Another potential holdup: At this fraught political moment for Big Tech, buying an asset like Discord could suddenly put the owner’s brand in jeopardy. — Theodore Schleifer, Recode, "Who could buy Discord? Acquirers have been giving the gaming startup a long look.," 21 Nov. 2018 If the holdup is by the heater core, then that’s one reason why hot air isn’t blowing. — Zachary Palmer, Popular Mechanics, "How To Fix Your Car's Heater," 6 Sep. 2018 The last holdup right now is to bring the pipeline ashore in Italy. — Fox News, "Rep. Ed Royce on US relations with Russia, Turkey and Iran; Rep. Devin Nunes on Bruce Ohr and the push to declassify DOJ documents," 12 Aug. 2018 The biggest holdup to direct action on climate is showing that preventing these changes would be cheaper than enduring them (after factoring in scientific uncertainty). — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "Climate Change Is Affordable," 27 Nov. 2018 Deputies were dispatched to the Forestdale Boulevard store on a report of a holdup. — Carol Robinson, AL.com, "2 ex-cons arrested after botched theft, assault at Family Dollar," 30 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The oat oils allow the vodka to hold up the robust flavors of the Contratto—a red, bitter Italian liqueur that’s similar to Campari. — Andrew Daniels, Popular Mechanics, "Celebrate World Cocktail Day with a Surprising Spin on the Boulevardier," 13 May 2019 Let’s face it, The Parent Trap served some truly iconic fashion looks in 1998 that still hold up today. — Sarah Morse, Glamour, "5 Perfect Summer Outfits With Jeans, Courtesy of Celebrities," 22 Apr. 2019 President Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity that the confirmation process for Kavanaugh should not be held up. — Brooke Singman, Fox News, "Amid Kavanaugh controversy, Joe Biden expresses regret over how he handled Anita Hill allegations," 21 Sep. 2018 If the walls held up to bombardment and mining, then the only option was escalade—climbing the walls. — William Gurstelle, Popular Mechanics, "How to Storm a Castle," 11 Apr. 2019 Alex Garland The example of Seattle, which has seen housing costs, affordability, and transportation issues become more complicated and deeply rooted due to Amazon’s expansion in the city, has been held up as a lesson. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Amazon HQ2 winner appears to be both New York and Crystal City, Virginia," 6 Nov. 2018 After 20 years, some elements of the story no longer hold up—a modern reboot would likely feature the girls banding together to block Sebastian’s toxic masculinity instead of falling for his charms—but the clothes are still perfection. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Cruel Intentions Is Still a Teenage Fashion Dream 20 Years On," 22 Mar. 2019 While the relationship between declining unemployment and rising wages has held up in recent years, the relationship between declining unemployment and rising prices has been very weak. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "Economists’ Advice to Fed: Look at Rising Prices and Tight Labor Market," 22 Feb. 2019 As an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Okoumou wanted to do more than just hold up a sign. — Essence.com, "Statue of Liberty Climber Patricia Okoumou Was Worried Police Were Going to Shoot Her," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'holdup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.