held over; holding over; holds over
: to continue (as in office) for a prolonged period
2
: to prolong the engagement of
the film was held over another week
Examples of holdover in a Sentence
Noun
He is the only holdover from their last championship team.
This policy is a holdover from the previous administration.
Verb
the golf tournament had to be held over until the line of thunderstorms had passed through
Recent Examples on the Web
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
The square nail—once considered a holdover from suburban nail salons—has regained popularity in a variety of lengths after beauty trendsetters like Kendall Jenner and Cynthia Erivo sported the look.
—María Munsuri, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The Hoosiers had just scored and led the Buckeyes 7-6 – the first lead Indiana held over Ohio State in a quarter century.
—Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdover
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Noun
This year, exhibitors had to rely on an ecclectic batch of holdovers, rereleases, including Back to the Future, and the expansion of Focus Features’ awards darling and specialty offering Bugonia.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
The square nail—once considered a holdover from suburban nail salons—has regained popularity in a variety of lengths after beauty trendsetters like Kendall Jenner and Cynthia Erivo sported the look.
—María Munsuri, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
During those 18 years there have been coaches, executives, scouts and players held over.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The Hoosiers had just scored and led the Buckeyes 7-6 – the first lead Indiana held over Ohio State in a quarter century.
—Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdover
Cite this Entry
“Holdover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdover. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
hold over
intransitive verb
: to remain in a position or condition
one who holds over in possession of a building after the expiration of a term of years—B. N. Cardozo
B. N. Cardozo
holdover
noun
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