holdover

American  

[hohld-oh-ver] / ˈhoʊldˌoʊ vər /

noun

1. a person or thing remaining from a former period.

2. Printing. overset that can be kept for future use.

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Etymology

Origin of holdover

1885–1890, noun use of verb phrase hold over

Explanation

A holdover is something that has stuck around for a long time. A law that forbids women from wearing patent leather shoes in public is a holdover from a very different era. The noun holdover comes up often in politics. A member of a former president's cabinet who keeps her job even after a new president is elected may be referred to as a holdover from the previous administration. A gym teacher's habit of barking out instructions to his elementary school students might be a holdover from his army days.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

holdover

Incoming presidents therefore inherit holdover commissioners, nominating new members for Senate consideration as vacancies emerge.

From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026

In separate statements, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack and Logan, the Dallas Fed president, each said that the existing language—a holdover from last fall’s three rate cuts—no longer fit the outlook.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

On his visit to St. John Bosco, his driver was former St. John Bosco assistant Marshawn Friloux, a holdover in the Bruins’ recruiting department from the previous staff.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

On Monday afternoon, sporadic vuvuzela toots and car horns could still be heard downtown, although unclear whether a holdover from the prior night's celebrations or in anticipation of the team's forthcoming arrival.

From Barron's ● Jan. 19, 2026

The first baseman charged the ball, and Herbie, perhaps acting on some latent instinct that was a holdover from a previous incarnation, stumbled over to cover the bag at first, in itself a good idea.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols