policyholder

noun

pol·​i·​cy·​hold·​er ˈpä-lə-sē-ˌhōl-dər How to pronounce policyholder (audio)
: the owner of an insurance policy

Examples of policyholder in a Sentence

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.
Jones said the potential consequences for policyholders could be severe if an insurer’s financial position deteriorated enough to stop it from meeting its obligations. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Carriers nationwide are raising monthly rates, driven by seniors seeking more medical care and policyholders growing older. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 Coverage would be universal, with policyholders automatically enrolled. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 The refunds are going to policyholders who did not receive federal premium subsidies to buy Affordable Care Act coverage. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for policyholder

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of policyholder was in 1818

Rhymes for policyholder

See All Rhymes for policyholder

Browse Nearby Words

policy
policyholder
policy loan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Policyholder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policyholder. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

policyholder

noun
pol·​i·​cy·​hold·​er ˈpäl-ə-sē-ˌhōl-dər How to pronounce policyholder (audio)
: the owner of an insurance policy

Legal Definition

policyholder

noun
pol·​i·​cy·​hold·​er ˈpä-lə-sē-ˌhōl-dər How to pronounce policyholder (audio)
: the owner of an insurance policy

called also policyowner

compare subject
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All