holdover

1 of 2

noun

hold·over ˈhōld-ˌō-vər

Synonyms of holdover

: one that is held over

hold over

2 of 2

verb

held over; holding over; holds over

intransitive verb

: to continue (as in office) for a prolonged period

transitive verb

: postpone, defer

: to retain in a condition or position from an earlier period

: 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

There is an urgency, then, that comes with being a holdover trying to find a way back to that level of success after finishing 6-11 last season. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 But Cignetti has plenty of replacements — and holdovers — to produce a worthy sequel. — Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

Even for a famous masterpiece, the Bayeux Tapestry exerts an unusually powerful hold over the professionals who work with it. — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026 Grounded in tragedy and yet evoking a consistent sense of wonder, the lady of the house looks less like a mirror for her husband than a magnifying glass held over his genius and grotesquerie. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for holdover

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1647, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of holdover was in 1647

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

hold out on

holdover

hold over

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Holdover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdover. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hold over

verb

: to continue beyond a normal or planned time

the movie was held over for three weeks

holdover

ˈhōl-ˌdō-vər

noun

Legal 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

holdover noun

holdover

noun

verb

Synonyms of holdover

Examples of holdover in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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holdover

noun

verb

Synonyms of holdover

Examples of holdover in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for holdover

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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