hold out

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

see also:

hold out on

Synonyms of hold out

• survive
• last
• prevail

Examples of hold out in a Sentence

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

Or Gonzalez fully holds out and risks fines. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026

Meta Platforms held out the possibility that some employees might be able to continue working at the company under certain circumstances. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

The actor then approaches the crowd to sign various items held out in front of him. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

No matter how many shows you guys do, his voice just holds out. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for hold out

• 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