hold·out
ˈhōld-ˌau̇t 
held out; holding out; holds out
1
: to remain unsubdued or unyielding
where 30 of the … refugees were still holding out—
Anna Tomforde
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
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
Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
Another summer constellation holdout is Sagittarius the Archer, in the low southwest sky.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Irving will likely be held out of Week 5, making Rachaad White an RB2.
—Jess Bryant, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdout
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Noun
Still, there are six holdouts that haven’t budged a penny, while four others lowered their price.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
Another summer constellation holdout is Sagittarius the Archer, in the low southwest sky.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
A lot of people are nevertheless holding out hope for a team that moved the ball at will against the Bills and Lions (and has played a schedule that can only get easier going forward).
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Irving will likely be held out of Week 5, making Rachaad White an RB2.
—Jess Bryant, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdout
Cite this Entry
“Holdout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdout. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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