holdout

1 of 2

noun

hold·​out ˈhōld-ˌau̇t 

: 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 out

—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

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

Synonyms

Verb

• survive
• last
• prevail

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

Noun

The Civil War had ended two months prior officially, but Galveston was a holdout and had to be secured. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 19 June 2025

More than 40 states have taken similar measures, but California was one of the last holdouts. —Denise Amos, Mercury News, 18 June 2025

Verb

The New York Giants' WR is reportedly holding out for a contract extension. —Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Verbeek negotiated a three-year bridge deal with both Zegras and his close friend Jamie Drysdale as both held out well into training camp of a 2023-24 campaign in which both sustained multiple injuries. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for holdout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

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