holdover

1 of 2

noun

hold·​over ˈhōld-ˌō-vər 

: one that is held over

hold over

2 of 2

verb

held over; holding over; holds over

intransitive verb

: to continue (as in office) for a prolonged period

transitive verb

1

a

: postpone, defer

b

: to retain in a condition or position from an earlier period

2

: to prolong the engagement of

the film was held over another week

Synonyms of holdover

Verb

• postpone
• delay
• defer
• put over

Examples of holdover in a Sentence

Noun

He is the only holdover from their last championship team.

This policy is a holdover from the previous administration.

Verb

the golf tournament had to be held over until the line of thunderstorms had passed through

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There, Aho, Svechnikov and Jarvis are the primary holdovers. —Sean Gentille, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Another running back to monitor is Tre Tyus, who is a practice-squad holdover from last year. —Mike Kaye updated May 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026

Verb

The movie has become an unexpected juggernaut at New York’s Film Forum, held over week after week. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

There are also mini shakes at $2 and many items held over from Del Taco’s last version of its value menu, Del’s Real Deals, which was introduced in July 2024. —Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1647, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for holdover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover
• pullover

Kids Definition

hold over

verb

: to continue beyond a normal or planned time

the movie was held over for three weeks

holdover

ˈhōl-ˌdō-vər

noun

Legal Definition

hold over

intransitive verb

: to remain in a position or condition

one who holds over in possession of a building after the expiration of a term of years

—B. N. Cardozo

holdover noun