holdout

1 of 2

noun

hold·​out ˈhōld-ˌau̇t How to pronounce holdout (audio)
: 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 outAnna 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
Phrases
hold out on
: to withhold something (such as information) from

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Notably, neither Chris Jones (contract holdout) nor Travis Kelce (hyperextended knee) was able to play that day. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025 The holdouts included more than two hundred employees from Upstate Correctional Facility. Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Coach Witten said Cooper has been battling through some leg and ankle injuries and thus was held out of the offense in this game. Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025 Murray continues to nurse a foot injury suffered in the team's Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans, which has resulted in him being held out of practice for most of the week. Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for holdout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of holdout was circa 1556

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Holdout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdout. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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