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
Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
In this case, sack leader Trey Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart have both taken aim at ownership and are threats for distraction and/or holdout when camp begins.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Charlie Wood, Wired News, 20 July 2025
For his part, Steve Cates still is holding out hope his insurance company will renew his policy.
—Peter Aldous, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdout
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Noun
Patrick Smith/Getty Images Also read: New Discouraging Update on Commanders Star's Holdout Emerges
While going live on Bleacher Report earlier this week, Insider James Palmer provided the latest regarding McLaurin's holdout.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
In this case, sack leader Trey Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart have both taken aim at ownership and are threats for distraction and/or holdout when camp begins.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Verb
Some physicists hold out hope that the dead ends do somehow go away.
—Charlie Wood, Wired News, 20 July 2025
For his part, Steve Cates still is holding out hope his insurance company will renew his policy.
—Peter Aldous, Miami Herald, 20 July 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 25 Jul. 2025.
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