holdout

1 of 2

noun

hold·​out ˈhōld-ˌau̇t 

: one that holds out (as in negotiations)

also : an instance of holding out

hold out

2 of 2

verb

held out; holding out; holds out

intransitive verb

1

: to remain unsubdued or unyielding

… where 30 of the … refugees were still holding out.

—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

transitive verb

1

: to present as something realizable : proffer

2

: to represent to be

see also hold out on

Synonyms of holdout

Verb

• survive
• last
• prevail

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

Noun

And no one wants to knock down entire blocks, particularly since so many still have a few long-time holdouts, like Curlena Paige. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025

Pro-redistricting groups turned up the pressure, announcing seven or eight-figure spends to defeat holdout senators. —Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025

Verb

The Chiefs’ Thursday practice reports showed offensive linemen Wanya Morris (knee) and Jawaan Taylor (triceps/knee) did not practice, while linebacker Nick Bolton was held out with an illness. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

The old man held out his open hand. —Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for holdout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

hold out

verb

1

: to remain in being : last

hope the food holds out

2

: to remain unyielding : refuse to surrender or give in

held out until help arrived

holdout

ˈhōl-ˌdau̇t

noun