holdup

noun hold·up \ ˈhōld-ˌəp \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

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

The security guard, David Motes, helped plan a holdup outside a Family Express on U.S. 421 in Michigan City.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Hammond armored vehicle robbery first in Indiana in 5 years," 11 May 2018
The holdup: assessing whether the 60-foot-long buses can use the ramp safely.

— shirley leung, BostonGlobe.com, "5 things we can do to fix Seaport District traffic," 9 May 2018
The holdup happened Wednesday in the 10100 block of Chantilly Parkway, said Tony Garrett, executive director of Central Area Crime Stoppers.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Gunman ID sought after holdup at Montgomery business," 3 May 2018
The holdup happened at Sam’s Food Stores, 1149 New Britain Ave.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "West Hartford Convenience Store Robbed, Police Say," 1 May 2018
Kushner’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said he had not been informed of any reason for the holdup in Kushner’s permanent top-secret clearance.

— Washington Post, "Kushner’s clearance downgrade could leave him ‘flying blind’," 7 Mar. 2018
One picture from Newington shows the thief with a fistful of cash during the holdup, which happened at about 9:45 p.m. at the Sunoco station, 3191 Berlin Turnpike.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Newington Robber Is Suspect In West Hartford, Plainville Holdups," 26 Apr. 2018
If another holdup is imminent, the pilot can walk back through the plane and give that high-value, potentially aggrieved traveler some special attention.

— jack stewart, WIRED, "The Surprisingly Simple iPad Apps Pilots Use to Make Your Flight Better," 26 Apr. 2018
If businesses take in enough cash to justify pickups by armored car services, that's another cost, and given that restaurants can be a target for holdups, not one that can be eliminated.

— joyce m. rosenberg, USA TODAY, "Cashless restaurants trend results in faster lines, less hassle for customers, employees," 20 Apr. 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

How will her deadpan sarcasm hold up among the Hawaiian shirt set?

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "7 shows not to miss at Jazz Fest 2018, Saturday (May 5)," 5 May 2018
Our game plan starts with making a few simple, adaptable, and delicious recipes that will hold up in the fridge.

— the healthyish team, Bon Appetit, "40 Healthy Meal Prep Recipes We're Psyched to Eat All Week Long," 4 May 2018
Ever since it was announced, the biggest question surrounding Nintendo Labo is about durability: just how long will a bunch of cardboard accessories hold up, anyway?

— andrew webster, The Verge, "How well does Nintendo Labo cardboard hold up after a few weeks?," 3 May 2018
The biggest concern may be how their knee ligaments and cartilage are holding up.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top 10 medical concerns in NFL draft," 26 Apr. 2018
So far, Justice Department officials have declined to comment — raising real questions about whether the Trump-Gardner deal will hold up in reality.

— german lopez, Vox, "Trump is already trying to call off his attorney general’s war on marijuana," 13 Apr. 2018
So who will hold up that red shirt at AT&T Stadium when his name is called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell? Here's a sampling from draft analysts across the nation.

— noel harris, sacbee, "49ers mock drafts: Why analysts are conflicted over ninth pick as decision day nears | The Sacramento Bee," 13 Apr. 2018
The arena was also packed with fans who held up posters of bunny ears and the number 22, which symbolize a popular Ariana motif and the number of people who died in the Manchester bombing, respectively.

— d. elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Harry Styles Covered an Ariana Grande Song at His Manchester Arena Concert to Honor Bombing Victims," 11 Apr. 2018
There’s no hydrator quite like hyaluronic acid, which holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Your Guide to Affordable Skin Care," 30 Mar. 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.