hold·back
ˈhōl(d)-ˌbak 
1
: something that retains or restrains
2
a
: the act of holding back
b
: something held back
held back; holding back; holds back
1
a
: to hinder the progress or achievement of : restrain
b
: to keep from advancing to the next stage, grade, or level
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with
held back important information
1
: to keep oneself in check
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with something
Synonyms
Examples of holdback in a Sentence
Noun
there'll be a holdback on production until the new machinery is fully installed
the only holdback to starting the new job is my contractual commitment to my current position
Verb
the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation
held back her tears until she was alone
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
That's because the manufacturer will typically designate a holdback price, or a percentage of the MSRP or invoice.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The reason Cannes doesn’t show Netflix films is simply because of the film law in France, which defines a very long holdback period after a film can move from theatrical release to streaming.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 Oct. 2022
The Prime Video Original will launch worldwide on the streaming platform and will be available to linear TV and other outlets after a holdback, said Lozano.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Nov. 2022
The deal sees YouTube launching the series worldwide but with a one-year holdback in the French language, where France Télévisions has first-window exclusivity.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Oct. 2022
Yusuf Khan, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2023
Sean Zanni North didn't hold back while watching Davidson walk the red carpet solo in 2023.
—Glamour, 23 Nov. 2023
In an exclusive clip from the finale (below) shared with The Hollywood Reporter, Toby doesn’t hold back on speaking his mind about Cely and Eyal.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2023
Those in attendance — from kids who were accompanied by their parents to groups of teenagers — didn’t hold back and sang every single song on Cornejo’s set at the top of their lungs.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2023
Senate Democrats have mostly held back from criticizing it.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2023
During those statements, Goodale appeared to struggle to maintain his composure and hold back tears.
—CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
Governments have established ambitious goals to increase the share of renewables in their energy mixes, but a shortage of the materials miners extract could hold back those plans.
—Yusuf Khan, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
There was a part of me that was slightly held back, or maybe nervous of completely committing to something.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
Noun
The best rooms look as though they've been decorated over time, like this one featuring a collection of distressed wood dressers, a metal bed frame, and antique drapery holdbacks.
—Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
That's because the manufacturer will typically designate a holdback price, or a percentage of the MSRP or invoice.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The reason Cannes doesn’t show Netflix films is simply because of the film law in France, which defines a very long holdback period after a film can move from theatrical release to streaming.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 Oct. 2022
The Prime Video Original will launch worldwide on the streaming platform and will be available to linear TV and other outlets after a holdback, said Lozano.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Nov. 2022
The deal sees YouTube launching the series worldwide but with a one-year holdback in the French language, where France Télévisions has first-window exclusivity.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Oct. 2022
Verb
The industry’s dirty legacy has held back hiring of graduates and led to public protests, hampering efforts to expand production and open new mines.
—Yusuf Khan, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2023
Sean Zanni North didn't hold back while watching Davidson walk the red carpet solo in 2023.
—Glamour, 23 Nov. 2023
In an exclusive clip from the finale (below) shared with The Hollywood Reporter, Toby doesn’t hold back on speaking his mind about Cely and Eyal.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2023
Those in attendance — from kids who were accompanied by their parents to groups of teenagers — didn’t hold back and sang every single song on Cornejo’s set at the top of their lungs.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2023
Senate Democrats have mostly held back from criticizing it.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2023
During those statements, Goodale appeared to struggle to maintain his composure and hold back tears.
—CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
Governments have established ambitious goals to increase the share of renewables in their energy mixes, but a shortage of the materials miners extract could hold back those plans.
—Yusuf Khan, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
There was a part of me that was slightly held back, or maybe nervous of completely committing to something.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holdback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near holdback
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdback. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
hold back
verb1
: to make difficult the progress or achievement of
2
: to keep from revealing or giving
held back important information
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