holdup

noun hold·up \ ˈhōld-ˌəp \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Examples: holdup in a Sentence

Definition of holdup

1 : delay

2 : a robbery carried out at gunpoint

See holdup defined for English-language learners

See holdup defined for kids

Examples of holdup in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of holdup from the Web

What is happening in Italy is a coup d’état, a holdup of the Italian people by illegitimate institutions.

— marcus walker, WSJ, "Italy’s Political Drama Raises Stakes for Euro," 28 May 2018
Few details were available about the most recent holdup.

— michelle hunter, NOLA.com, "3rd Metairie business robbed for 3rd day in a row," 25 May 2018
Anyone with information about the holdup is asked to call the Bristol Police Department at 860-584-3011.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Police Search For Man Who Robbed Bristol Subway," 13 Mar. 2018
Lester was killed by machine-gun fire during a holdup at the Motor Coach Co.

— Indianapolis Star, "Officers killed in the line of duty," 6 July 2014
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating a holdup at a Subway sandwich restaurant on Veterans Memorial Boulevard Thursday night (May 24), the third Metairie business to be robbed in three straight days.

— michelle hunter, NOLA.com, "3rd Metairie business robbed for 3rd day in a row," 25 May 2018
Suspicious condition, Lorain Road: On May 6, officers responded to a holdup alarm at a local restaurant.

— cheryl higley, cleveland.com, "Stolen ATV recovered after crash: North Ridgeville Police Blotter," 12 May 2018
More: What's the holdup with awarding medical marijuana licenses in Michigan?

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "GOP lawmakers contemplate tying marijuana legalization to income tax cut," 4 May 2018
Four suspects are in custody after a holdup Wednesday at a Heflin Bank.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "4 in custody after 'intense' bank robbery, car chase, foot chase in Heflin," 2 May 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.

First Known Use of holdup

1837

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

holdup Synonyms

hold up

verb

Definition of hold up

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

See hold up defined for kids

Examples of hold up in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of hold up from the Web

But how has new mom Khloé been holding up in the fallout?

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Are Khloé Kardashian and Tristan Thompson Still Together?," 1 May 2018
In the past, extremely promising drugs were often held up in what was then a more protracted process.

— jeff allen, STAT, "The breakthrough therapy designation for promising cancer drugs is good for patients," 27 Apr. 2018
To check that this result held up, Sebat’s team then tested a second, larger sample of 1771 families.

— matt warren, Science | AAAS, "Autistic children may inherit DNA mutations from their fathers," 19 Apr. 2018
The boat tours can hold up to 12 people, and there are three different embarkment points in Kyoto: Shimpiya Station, Mitsuji Station, or Keage Station, near the Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji temple.

— katherine lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best New Way to See Kyoto," 27 Mar. 2018
Sure, the game's 2006 graphics hold up fine, but are nothing to write home about by today's standards.

— jen glennon, Newsweek, "‘Persona’ Dancing Games Make Us Crave a ‘Persona 3’ Remake," 21 Mar. 2018
After Gunners interest in the player surfaced earlier this month, talks were briefly held up as the clubs attempted to negotiate a price that works for both parties.

— SI.com, "Arsenal Tipped to Complete Sokratis Signing in 'Coming Days' as First Post-Wenger Buy," 29 May 2018
Tatum held up his end on Sunday night, scoring 24 points, but Brown and Rozier were simply awful.

— bruce jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "It’s LeBron, again, to face Warriors or Rockets," 28 May 2018
Buehler held up at third base, but scored on a single by Enrique Hernandez.

— andy mccullough, latimes.com, "Walker Buehler goes seven innings in Dodgers' 6-1 victory over Padres," 27 May 2018

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