holdout
noun
hold·out
| \ ˈhōld-ˌau̇t
\
\
Definition of holdout
(Entry 1 of 2)
hold out
verb
held out;
holding out;
holds out
Definition of hold out (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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
hold out on
: to withhold something (such as information) from
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for holdout
Synonyms: Verb
hold up, keep up, last, prevail, survive
Antonyms: Verb
fail, fizzle, give out, go out, peter (out), run out
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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 Cowboys, who will be without running back Ezekiel Elliott (holdout), may allow quarterback Dak Prescott to get in some action. — Jon Becker, The Mercury News, "Live updates: 49ers vs. Cowboys in preseason, Saturday night," 10 Aug. 2019 The holdout running back has plummeted out of first-round consideration because of the risk that the Chargers are willing to get by with the Austin Ekeler-Justin Jackson tandem rather than paying through the nose for their star back. — Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, "The Loop Fantasy Football Preview: The Overrated," 16 Aug. 2019 His son, Matt Salinger, said the digital holdout ended because many readers use e-books exclusively and some people with disabilities can use only them. — BostonGlobe.com, "Stories you may have missed from the world of business," 12 Aug. 2019 His son, Matt Salinger, said the digital holdout ended because many readers use e-books exclusively and some people with disabilities can use only them. — SFChronicle.com, "Verizon selling Tumblr; J.D. Salinger books finally go digital," 12 Aug. 2019 Lately, local authorities have been stepping up their patrols to protect these last holdouts from poachers. — National Geographic, "Elephant skin sales rapidly mounting," 12 Aug. 2019 But with a number of progressive groups vowing to spend the summer recess exerting pressure on the impeachment holdouts in their home districts, the dilemma facing the Speaker could be even more acute when Congress reassembles for the fall session. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "Where Do Trump and the Democrats Stand as the Summer Recess Arrives?," 3 Aug. 2019 With half the House Democrats now in favor of beginning an inquiry, the pressure will only mount on the holdouts during the August recess. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Impeachment summer? August town halls may decide next steps," 2 Aug. 2019 Gordon would never know if the Chargers truly valued him without first staging the holdout. — Conor Orr, SI.com, "Why Melvin Gordon Faces an Uphill Climb to Get the Contract He Wants," 12 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
If not, the Marvel and Spider-Man faithful will just have to hold out hope that split isn’t the first sign that both franchises are doomed to disintegrate into dust. — Dan Reilly, Fortune, "Spider-Man Far From the MCU, As Sony-Disney Deal Flounders," 21 Aug. 2019 For running back Melvin Gordon, a teammate to Rivers who’s holding out for a better contract, James’ setback may have increased his leverage at the bargaining table. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: James’ injury a blow to Chargers, but team still equipped to succeed," 16 Aug. 2019 This month, Williams decided to hold out of training camp and demanded the team trade him or give him a raise. — Sam Fortier, baltimoresun.com, "Jay Gruden ‘seriously’ doubts Redskins will trade Trent Williams," 3 Aug. 2019 Developers are also likely to hold out on participating in any future government auctions to build solar or wind farms in the state, Agarwal said. — Kuwar Singh, Quartz India, "Renewable energy firms are knocking on all doors to rein in one of India’s youngest chief ministers," 30 July 2019 Fans of The Sopranos have been holding out for a reboot for years. — Angela Watercutter, WIRED, "Jennifer Lawrence to Play Real-Life Mobster," 25 July 2019 One group has continued to hold out for the Moon: radio astronomers. — Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, "Could humanity’s return to the moon spark a new age of lunar telescopes?," 18 July 2019 Fans waiting for pop icon Lady Gaga to take over the beauty world will only have to hold out a bit longer: Gaga is launching her beauty line Haus Laboratories this September. — Vogue, "Lady Gaga Is Launching a Makeup Line, Haus Laboratories—Here’s What We Know," 9 July 2019 Typically, the town budget referendum is complete by the end of May. But uncertainty about state funding levels for Educational Cost Sharing grants and other state aid to the town led town officials to hold out on a referendum. — Janice Steinhagen, courant.com, "Griswold Town Budget Approved," 8 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'holdout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for holdout
holdout
noun
English Language Learners Definition of holdout
: a person who refuses to reach an agreement until certain terms are met : a person who holds out
: an act of holding out for something
: a person who continues to do or use something after others have stopped doing or using it