holdover

1 of 2

noun

hold·​over ˈhōld-ˌō-vər 

: 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

1

a

: postpone, defer

b

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

2

: to prolong the engagement of

the film was held over another week

Synonyms

Verb

• defer
• delay
• hold off (on)
• hold up
• lay over
• postpone
• put off
• put over
• remit
• shelve

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

Noun

For purists that must have a twin-cylinder Ducati, the holdover V2 L-Twin model remains in the lineup. —William Roberson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Some holdovers were released this summer, but the purge intensified on Tuesday. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024

Verb

That was the prize for the latest look-alike contest held over the weekend. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024

Games have also been held over the last decade on various bases both domestic (California, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas) and international (Korea, Japan, Puerto Rico). —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1647, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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